Exam 1 Flashcards
variance
the difference between units of analysis on a particular measure
The Comparative Method
A learning approach based on studying the differences and similarities among similar units of analysis (such as states)
Why are there differences between state and local government?
- Partisan politics
- State traditions
- Wealth of states
Sociodemographic
the characteristics of a population, including size, age, and ethnicity
Political Cultures
The attitudes and beliefs broadly shared in a population about the role and responsibility of government
3 types of political cultures:
- Moralistic – Collective good
- Individualistic – Individual good
- Traditionalistic – Maintaining existing social order
What can impact where states spend their resources?
Geography and Topography
Laboratories of Democracy
engage in policy experiments without interference from the federal government
Devolution
process of taking power and responsibilities from federal government and giving it to states/local governments
What amendment gives power to the federal government?
10th amendment
3 internal factors help decide what states do (policy making)
- Wealth
- State’s political system
- Organized interest groups
_____ wealthy states concentrate on _____ education
Less, Higher
Federalism
a political system in which national regional governments share powers and are considered independent equals
Unitary systems
legal authority held by a central government.
Confederacy
association of independent governments
The confederal systems of the U.S
- Article of Confederation
* Confederacy
Events that helped Federalists overcome resistance:
- Annapolis Convention: an interstate trade agreement
2. Shays’s Rebellion: uprising of farmers
Representative government:
citizens exercise power indirectly
Enumerated powers
grants of authority
National supremacy clause
federal law takes precedence
Preemption
overriding of state law
Exclusive powers
to federal government.
Concurrent powers
to federal and state governments.
Concurrent powers
to federal and state governments.
Implied powers
to the federal government.
Examples of Implied Powers
●General welfare clause.
●Necessary and proper clause.
Full faith and credit clause
validity across states.
Privileges and immunities clause:
prohibiting discrimination.
Tenth Amendment
addressed the power of states.
Fourteenth Amendment
prohibits states from depriving citizenship rights.
Dual Federalism
also known as layer-cake federalism or divided sovereignty, is a political arrangement in which power is divided between the federal and state governments in clearly defined terms
Compact theory
agreement among sovereign states.
Nullification
state rejecting a federal law
Secession
a government’s withdrawal from a political system.
Nation-centered
federal over state government.
State-centered
state over federal government.
What federal case is a good example of dual federalism?
Scott v. Sandford.
Cooperative Federalism
Marble Cake
“the notion that it is impossible for state and national governments to have separate and distinct jurisdictions an that both levels of government must work together”
Centralized Federalism
Picket Fence
“the notion that the federal government should take the leading role in setting national policy, with state and local governments helping implement the policies”
Grants-in-aid
cash appropriations to states.
Categorical grants
specific grants-in-aid.
Crosscutting requirements
constraints of all federal grants.
Crossover sanctions
federal requirements to pass/enforce certain laws - Drinking age
Unfunded mandates
no financial support
New Federalism
more power, authority to states.
Block grants
federal grants-in-aid.
Devolution
the transfer or delegation of power from a central government to a local authority
Ad hoc federalism
a form of federalism that is used only when it is convenient for one of the parties involved.
National supremacy clause
Supreme laws of the land.
Federal courts are referee of national–state conflicts.
In what 4 federal cases shows the rise of Nation-Centered Federalism in court?
- United States v. Darby Lumber Co.
- Wickard v. Filburn
- Heart of Atlanta Motel v. U.S.
- Katzenbach v. McClung.
Interstate commerce clause
implied powers to Congress
Sovereign immunity
right of a government not to be sued.
Direct Democracy
“A system in which citizens make laws themselves rather than relying on elected representatives”
Judicial Federalism
“The idea that the court determine the boundaries of state-federal relations”
Dual constitutionalism
people living under two sovereign powers.
Natural law (aka Higher Law)
based on the divine law.
What is a major difference between U.S. Constitution and state constitutions:
scope of documents
10th Amendment
Plenary power
Permanence
Durability
What is the constitution’s primary concern?
Specificity
Appropriations bills
authorize transfer of money.
Unicameral legislatures
having only one chamber
Separation of powers
legislative, executive, and judicial branches
Bicameral legislatures
an assembly, a senate.
Franchise
right to vote
Interstate commerce clause
implied powers to Congress.
What cases showed the Rise of Nation-Centered Federalism?
●Wickard v. Filburn.
●Heart of Atlanta Motel v. U.S.
•Katzenbach v. McClung.
Sovereign immunity
right of a government not to be sued.
Colonial charters
legal documents drawn up by British Crown
What are 4 the primary ways in which constitutional changes are proposed?
- Legislative proposals
- Ballot initiatives and referendums
- Constitutional conventions
- Constitutional revision commissions
Judicial review
assessing law compliance.
What 4 Factors influence constitution diversity?
- Historical circumstances.
- Political culture.
- Geography
- Changing notions of good government.
How Do State Constitutions Differ?
Length and ease of amendment
Line-item veto
rejecting a portion of a bill.
Ex: The Vanna White veto.
Municipal charter
governing documents.
Home rule
right to regulate local matters.
Government income
revenues, user fees. Property Taxes
What are the 6 types of taxes?
- Excise taxes: sin taxes.
- Property taxes
- Income taxes
- Motor vehicle taxes
- Estate taxes: death taxes.
- Gift taxes: tax on money transfers.
Regressive taxes
burden on those with lower income.
Tax burden
paid as proportion of income.
progressive tax system
rate paid reflects ability to pay
Severance taxes
Tax on natural resources.
Tax capacity
ability to pay taxes.
Tax effort
taxes paid relative to tax-paying ability.
What are the 5 factors that contribute to Tax Variations?
- Political culture
- Geography.
- Geology.
- Demographics.
- History.
Fiscal federalism
federal grants fund public services.
Where does the money go for states?
- wages
- Education
- Health Care
- Welfare
- Fire
- Police
- Prisons
- Highways
Plurality
electoral process in which the candidate who polls more votes than any other candidate is elected.
Secret ballot or Australian ballot
Voters’ say in who holds an office.
Redistricting
drawing new boundaries.
What are 3 Forms of participation in direct democracy?
- Popular initiative.
- Popular referendum.
- Legislative referendum.
