Political Science Exam 1

Unitary government

A system where power flows from the national government down to local governments.

Confederal government

A system where power flows from states/regional governments to a weak national government. Example: Articles of Confederation.

Federalism

A system where individuals are governed by two constitutions (U.S. and state), have dual citizenship, and must follow both state and federal laws.

Supremacy Clause

The clause in Article VI that supports nation-centered federalism.

10th Amendment

The amendment that supports state-centered federalism (Reserved Powers Clause).

Dual federalism

A model of federalism where there are separate but equal levels of government.

Cooperative federalism

A model of federalism where national and state governments share power and resources.

Coercive federalism

A model of federalism where the national government pressures states with mandates/conditions.

State constitutions

Documents that are longer, more detailed, easier to amend, and often include policy provisions and local issues compared to the U.S. Constitution.

Taxation provisions

Detailed provisions on taxation, local government, education, or policy restrictions that state constitutions often contain but the U.S. Constitution does not.

Amendment methods for state constitutions

Ways state constitutions can be amended: judicial review, legislative proposal, initiatives (direct/indirect), referenda, and constitutional commissions/conventions.

Referendum

A law that starts with the legislature but must be approved or rejected by the people in a vote.

Recall

A process where citizens vote to remove a public official from office before the end of their term.

Initiative

A process where citizens petition to place a law or amendment directly on the ballot for voters to decide.

Factors increasing political participation

Higher income, higher education, white-collar jobs, middle/older age, living in smaller towns, and strong sense of efficacy.

Factors decreasing political participation

Lower income, less education, younger age, alienation, and apathy.

Campaign volunteers

Individuals who are more educated, partisan, and politically interested tend to volunteer on campaigns.

First state to eliminate property restrictions for voting

New Hampshire, 1792.

Last state to eliminate property restrictions for voting

North Carolina, 1856.

24th Amendment

The amendment that abolished the poll tax in 1964.

State governor elections

All states elect governors.

Commonly elected state offices

Lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and treasurer.

Non-partisan offices

Judges, justices, school boards, city councils, and some local-level positions (not governor).

Plurality vs. Majority elections

Plurality = candidate with the most votes wins. Majority = candidate must get 50% + 1 vote.

Louisiana primary system

A top-two primary system where all candidates run together; if no one wins a majority, the top two face a runoff.

Tripartite of a political party

The three parts of a political party: party organization, party-in-government, and party-in-the-electorate.

Motivations for involvement in state/local parties

Grassroots influence, partisan identity, helping candidates, and community involvement.

Interest group strength

Interest groups are strongest in states with weaker political parties.

Political party strength

Political parties are stronger than interest groups in states with stronger, well-organized party systems.

Most expensive policy responsibility

Education is the most expensive policy responsibility of state and local governments.

Major state responsibilities

Transportation (highways), health and welfare programs (Medicaid, food stamps), and public safety (police, courts, prisons).

Model State Constitution purpose

To provide a framework of fundamental principles for state governments.

Key element of state constitutions

Provisions for local governments and detailed public policy measures emphasized in the Model Constitution but not in the U.S. Constitution.

Unitary government

A system where power is centralized in the national government.

Confederal government

A system where power is held by the states with a weak central authority.

Federal government

A system where power is divided and shared between national and state governments.

Federal system of government

A system where individuals live under two sovereign governments (national and state), both of which make laws and policies that directly affect them.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the Constitution that nation-centered federalists rely on most to argue for stronger national power.

Dual federalism

A model that divides national and state powers with little overlap.

Cooperative federalism

A model that blends the two levels of government, often through shared funding and programs.

Coercive federalism

A model where the national government pressures states using mandates or funding requirements.

Model state constitution elements

Provisions for local governments, detailed policies (like education and taxation), and more frequent amendment processes.

State constitutions length

State constitutions tend to get longer over time as they add detailed provisions to address specific policies and issues.

Direct democracy tools

Referendum, recall, and initiative are tools some states use for direct democracy.

Referendum

A process where the legislature refers a law to the people for approval.

Recall

A process where voters remove an elected official before their term ends.

Initiative

A process where citizens petition to place a law on the ballot.

Factors for political participation

Higher income, higher education, white-collar occupation, middle-aged or older, small-town residence, higher political efficacy, and strong social capital.

Voting restrictions in the U.S.

Property and wealth restrictions, religious restrictions, literacy tests, poll taxes, grandfather clauses, and white-only primaries in the South.

Campaign volunteers

Individuals who are usually more educated, more partisan, and more politically interested than others.

Campaign volunteer activities

Activities include phone banking, canvassing, voter registration drives, yard signs, and handing out flyers.

Non-partisan elections

Elections for judges, justices, and many local-level positions (like school boards, city councils, and mayors in some places) — but not governors.

Pro of long constitutions

Explicit rights and citizen input.

Con of long constitutions

Inflexibility, outdated/redundant language, special interest protections.

Model State Constitution

To outline fundamental principles and provide a framework for state governments.

Taxation/finance, public education, and organization of government branches

Responsibilitys typically outlined in state constitutions regarding the management and collection of taxes and financial resources.

Three main units of subnational government

States, counties/parishes/boroughs, and cities/towns.

Medicaid, food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Unemployment Compensation

Welfare programs that provides financial assistance to individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

Transportations (DOT) responsibilities

Highway construction, maintenance, traffic regulation, and gas/vehicle tax funding.

State/local crime responsibilities

Patrolling highways, enforcing laws, and maintaining jails.

Federalists

Wanted a strong national government (nation-centered).

Anti-Federalists

Wanted state power (state-centered).

Block grants

A type of federal grant that provides funds to state or local governments for general purposes.

Categorical grants

Federal grants that are allocated for specific purposes or categories.

Formula grants

Grants distributed based on a predetermined formula, often considering factors like population or income.

Project grants

Federal grants awarded for specific projects or initiatives, typically requiring a competitive application process.

What historical documents influenced state constitutions?

Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, English Bill of Rights.

What does dual constitutionalism mean?

Citizens are governed by both the U.S. Constitution and their state constitution.

How did Populist/Progressive movements affect state constitutions?

Introduced initiatives, referenda, recall elections, direct primaries, and non-partisan judge elections.

What are the main methods of state constitutional change?

Judicial review, legislative proposal, initiative (direct/indirect), and constitutional commission.

Political efficacy

The belief that your participation in politics makes a difference.

Political alienation

The belief that your participation does not matter in politics.

Political apathy

A lack of interest or concern about politics.

Free riders

People who benefit from a democratic government but do not participate or contribute.

Voter turnout in moralistic vs traditionalistic states

Voter turnout is higher in moralistic states and lower in traditionalistic states.

Voting system in Louisiana

Louisiana requires a majority vote (50% +1), which can lead to runoff elections.

State elections timing

Most state elections are held in off-years to reduce the coattail effect, where presidential election outcomes influence state races.

Grassroots efforts in political campaigns

Local party activities such as canvassing, voter registration drives, transportation to polls, and working at polling places.

Powerful state-level interest groups

Business groups (like oil), medical associations, labor unions, manufacturing, and farm groups.

Influence on state constitutions

State constitutions were historically influenced by the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and U.S. Constitution, often expanding with more detail and length.