POLS 207 Exam 1

• Federal Government:

  • Responsible for National Defense and Security, including the country's defense, armed forces, and national security
  • Handles Foreign Policy by conducting diplomatic relations with other nations and negotiating international agreements
  • Regulates Immigration and citizenship
• State Government:

  • Oversees Education, including public education systems such as K-12 schools and sometimes public universities
  • Manages Transportation by handling state highways, public transit systems, and other transportation infrastructure
  • Enforces Criminal Law and oversees state or provincial police forces
  • Manages Health policies and programs related to public health
• Local or Municipal Government:

  • Provides Local Police and Fire Services for residents
  • Manages Local Infrastructure, including local roads, utilities, and public facilities
  • Regulates Zoning and Land Use for city planning
  • May have a role in Local Education, especially at the primary and secondary levels
• What is policy conservatism?

  Referring to a state's tendency to limit welfare benefits, deregulate business, keep taxes low, and place less reliance on government and more reliance on individuals and the marketplace to achieve social goals.
• Policy liberalism is a state's tendency to expand welfare benefits, regulate business, adopt progressive state income taxes and use the resources of government to achieve social change.
• From where do state and local governments derive their revenue?

  Property taxes make up the largest category of state and local government revenue at 35%, with sales and gross receipts close behind at 34%.
• Federalism is a constitutional arrangement where power is divided between national and state governments. Each level enforces its own laws directly on citizens, and neither can alter the arrangement without the consent of the other. This distribution of powers is typically outlined in a written constitution.
• In a unitary system, all powers are concentrated in a central government. Subnational governments have only those powers given to them by the national government.
• A confederation is a constitutional arrangement whereby the national government is created by and relies on the state governments for its authority. Each member retains sovereignty, and the central authority is limited, relying on member consent.
• Why are states called “laboratories of democracy?”

  States are often referred to as 'laboratories of democracy' because they have the flexibility to experiment with various policies. Individual states can serve as testing grounds for innovative laws and solutions by tailoring policies to local needs. These policies, if effective, can then be employed on the national level.
• Nullification is the concept that a state can invalidate or reject a federal law it deems unconstitutional.
• Enumerated or delegated powers are specific authorities/powers explicitly granted to the federal government by the Constitution.
• Implied powers are powers that are not explicitly granted to the federal government according to the Constitution but are granted under the necessary and proper clause.
• The 10th Amendment states that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states.
• Marbury v. Madison (1803) is a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review. This gave the Court the authority to review and potentially invalidate acts of Congress if they were found to be unconstitutional.
• McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) was a Supreme Court case that addressed the constitutionality of a federal bank and the power of states to tax federal institutions. This decision established the principle of implied powers, asserting that Congress had the authority to take actions not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution if they were necessary and proper to fulfill its enumerated powers.
• Federal grants-in-aid provide financial assistance from the federal government to state and local governments for various programs and services. They have been the principal instrument in the expansion of national power, as over one-third of all state and local government expenditures are made possible by grants-in-aid distributed by the federal government.
• Mandates refer to directives or requirements issued by the federal government that compel states to comply with specific policies or regulations. Mandates are tied to the receipt of federal funds, influencing the actions of states or localities. They are a mechanism for the central government to ensure uniformity and adherence to certain standards across different jurisdictions.
• Preemption occurs when the federal government's laws and regulations take precedence over those of the states, rendering the latter invalid or inapplicable. This concept is often employed to establish the supremacy of federal laws over conflicting state or local laws.
• A state constitution typically includes a preamble, a Bill of Rights specifying fundamental individual protections, a framework for the structure and powers of government branches, and provisions covering various policy areas such as education, criminal justice, and natural resources. Additional elements often address suffrage, local government organization, finance and taxation, and the amendment process.
• Constitutionalism is the principle that government authority is bound by and subject to a constitution, which outlines the powers and limitations of the government. It emphasizes the importance of adherence to the rule of law, checks and balances, and the protection of individual rights to ensure the government remains limited and accountable to its citizens.
• State constitutions tend to be longer than the U.S. Constitution as they address a broader array of policy issues, including detailed provisions on education, criminal justice, and local government, reflecting the desire to provide comprehensive guidelines tailored to the priorities of each state. The inclusion of specific and extensive details in state constitutions aims to establish a more thorough and adaptable framework for state governance.
• Local governments derive their power from the state.
• In the legislative proposal process, amendments are initiated and passed by the state legislature, after which they are presented to the voters for approval in a referendum. This method involves elected representatives shaping constitutional changes and seeking public endorsement through a direct vote. This is how most states amend their constitutions.
• Through a popular initiative, a designated number of voters can petition to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot, allowing citizens to directly influence and approve proposed changes. This approach empowers the public to take an active role in shaping constitutional revisions.
• States may opt for a constitutional convention, where legislators propose the convening of such a convention to draft and revise constitutional amendments. If voters endorse the idea, a convention is assembled, and its recommendations are subjected to voter approval through a subsequent referendum.
• Constitutional commissions, established by legislatures, study and analyze the constitution, proposing revisions to the state legislature or directly submitting recommendations to voters for approval in a referendum. This method involves expert analysis and public input in the constitutional amendment process.
• Counties and cities play crucial roles in local governance. Counties typically provide essential services such as law enforcement, public health, and administration of justice. Cities focus on local ordinances, zoning regulations, and municipal services like water, waste management, and public education. Both entities contribute to local infrastructure development, ensuring the well-being and quality of life for their residents.
• Special districts are independent, local government entities created to provide specific services that are not adequately supplied by existing general-purpose governments, such as water districts, fire districts, or sanitation districts. They focus on delivering specialized services within a defined geographic area, filling gaps in public administration.
• At-large district elections are elections in which candidates run for office representing the entire geographic area or jurisdiction, and voters from the entire constituency can vote for any candidate, regardless of their residence within the district.
• In single-member district elections, candidates run for office in specific geographic subdivisions, and voters within those districts can cast ballots only for candidates residing in their respective areas. This system ensures local representation by requiring candidates to be residents of the district they seek to represent.
• Combined elections involve a mix of at-large and single-member district elections within the same governing body. While some officials are elected to represent the entire jurisdiction, others are chosen from specific geographic subdivisions, creating a hybrid system for comprehensive representation.
• The political culture of Texas is a blend of traditionalism and individualism, with a strong emphasis on individual rights and freedoms. This state favors less government influence and treats state government as a marketplace.
• Individualism is a core political culture in the United States that emphasizes personal freedom, self-reliance, and limited government intervention. It values individual rights, entrepreneurship, and the belief that individuals should be free to pursue their goals with minimal interference from the government.
• Traditionalism is a political culture that places importance on maintaining established social orders, values, and hierarchical structures. It often values stability, community cohesion, and adherence to long-standing customs and traditions. This political culture tends to resist rapid social or political changes.
• Moralism is a political culture in which citizens expect government to promote the common good, social justice, and ethical governance. It emphasizes the idea that government should actively address societal issues and pursue policies that contribute to the well-being of the entire community. This political culture often encourages citizen participation and engagement in public affairs for the betterment of society.
• The philosophy behind the current Texas Constitution (1876) reflects a deep-seated distrust of centralized government and a commitment to limited government power
• The current Texas Constitution was shaped by a reaction against the perceived excesses of the Radical Republican rule during the Reconstruction era.
• The current Texas Constitution aims to curb the authority of the governor and limit the potential for concentrated political power.
• Skepticism of politicians and emphasis on restraint have persisted through the Texas Constitution's numerous amendments.