Direct Democracy

Question 1

What did Proposition 13 (1978) do in california

Answer 1

Cut property taxes to 1%

Question 2

Proposition 98 (1988), Calafornia

Answer 2

Mandates California state gov to spend 39% of budget on K-12 education

Question 3

Proposition 87 (2006), California

Answer 3

• proposed to increase tax on oil produced in California
• oil companies spent $95 million to defeat the bill

(bill was defeated)

Question 4

Amendment 64, Colorado

Answer 4

Legalisation of weed
—> led to 22 states legalising

Question 5

3 arguments for direct democracy

Answer 5

1. Express the will of the people
2. States can be a test bed for initiatives
3. Encourages participation

Question 6

3 arguments against direct democracy

Answer 6

1. Initiatives can threaten minority rights
2. Initiatives can be passed on small (unrepresentative) turnouts
3. can be manipulated by wealthy pressure groups

Question 7

Example of an initiative threatening minority rights

Answer 7

Louisiana amendment 1
—> removed right to abortion

Question 8

Example of an initiative that encouraged wider participation

Answer 8

Arizona proposition 207
—> legalisation of weed (amendment 64)

80% turnout

Question 9

What are recall elections used for

Answer 9

Used to recall state governors

Question 10

Example of a successful recall election

Answer 10

Gray Davis, governor of California 2003

—> corruption related to California electricity crisis