POLS 1250 – State & Local Government Final Exam Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, institutions, powers, and processes in American state and local government for the POLS 1250 final exam.

Government Capacity

The ability of a state or local government to effectively formulate, implement, and evaluate public policy through adequate resources, expertise, and institutional structures.

Political Culture

Shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about government and politics that shape citizens’ expectations and behavior within a state or locality.

Evolution of State and Local Governments

Historical development of sub-national institutions—from colonial arrangements to modern professionalized governments—reflecting shifts in power and responsibilities.

Federalism

A constitutional division of power between a national government and regional governments, each possessing some degree of autonomy.

Models of Federalism

Conceptual frameworks (e.g., dual, cooperative, new) describing how authority and policy duties are divided among governmental levels.

Fiscal Federalism

Financial relationships among federal, state, and local governments, including grants-in-aid, revenue sharing, and tax authority distribution.

State-Centered Federalism

Perspective that states retain primary sovereignty and the national government’s powers are narrowly limited.

Nation-Centered Federalism

View emphasizing broad national authority with states functioning in a subordinate capacity.

Enumerated Powers

Powers expressly listed in the U.S. Constitution as belonging to the national government.

Implied Powers

Authorities not explicitly stated but inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause to carry out enumerated duties.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both state and national governments, such as taxation and law enforcement.

Tenth Amendment

Constitutional provision reserving powers not delegated to the federal government for the states or the people.

Compact Theory

Idea that the Constitution is a contract among states, allowing them to judge the limits of federal authority.

State Constitution

A sub-national charter establishing the structure, powers, and limits of a state’s government.

Colonial Charter

British-granted document outlining governance for an American colony; many served as templates for early state constitutions.

Fundamental Law

Basic legal principles providing the governmental framework, typically contained in constitutions rather than ordinary statutes.

Model State Constitution

An ideal template promoting brevity, clarity, and balanced powers in state constitutional design.

Legislative Supremacy

Doctrine asserting that the legislative branch is the dominant governing authority over the executive and judiciary.

Methods of Citizen Participation

Ways individuals engage in politics—voting, campaigning, attending meetings, contacting officials, or serving on boards.

Voter Registration

Process by which eligible citizens enroll on electoral rolls to gain the right to vote.

Open Primary

Primary election allowing any registered voter to choose either party’s ballot without declaring affiliation.

Closed Primary

Primary election restricted to voters officially registered with a particular political party.

General Election

Final election where voters select among party nominees and independents to fill public offices.

Referendum

Direct vote by citizens on a law or constitutional amendment placed on the ballot by the legislature.

Initiative

Citizen-driven process to propose and vote on laws or constitutional amendments without legislative action.

State Party Organization

Formal structure of a political party within a state, including committees, officers, and local affiliates.

Two-Party System

Political system dominated by two major parties that win the vast majority of elections.

Third Party

Any political party other than the two majors, often centered on specific issues or alternative ideologies.

Interest Group

Organized collection of individuals or organizations seeking to influence public policy.

Types of Interest Groups

Categories such as economic, public interest, ideological, governmental, and single-issue organizations.

Interest Group Tactics

Methods like lobbying, campaign contributions, litigation, public relations, and grassroots mobilization used to influence policy.

Decentralized Legislative Power

Distribution of authority within a legislature, granting autonomy to committees and individual members.

Committee System

Legislative arrangement dividing work into specialized groups that review, amend, and recommend bills.

Reapportionment

Redistribution of legislative seats among districts following population changes recorded in the census.

Redistricting

Redrawing of electoral district boundaries after reapportionment to ensure equal representation.

Gerrymandering

Manipulation of district lines to benefit a particular party, group, or incumbent.

Legislative Session

Designated period during which a legislature convenes to conduct official business.

Functions of State Legislatures

Lawmaking, representation, oversight of the executive, and approval of state budgets.

Delegate Role

Idea that legislators should vote strictly according to constituents’ preferences.

Trustee Role

Concept that legislators use personal judgment to decide what is best for the public interest.

Evolution of Governors

Historical enlargement and professionalization of gubernatorial power from weak colonial executives to strong modern governors.

Centralized Executive Power

Concentration of administrative authority in the governor, often through appointment and budget control.

Governor Demographics

Aggregate characteristics—age, gender, race, education—of individuals serving as state governors.

Formal Powers (Governor)

Constitutionally or statutorily granted authorities such as veto, appointment, budget proposal, and calling special sessions.

Informal Powers (Governor)

Influence derived from personality, popularity, media use, and party leadership positions.

Roles of the Governor

Chief executive, policy leader, ceremonial head, party leader, crisis manager, and intergovernmental advocate.

Public Expectations (Governor)

Citizens’ beliefs regarding what governors should accomplish, often exceeding their formal authority.

Balanced Budget Requirement

Legal rule obligating states to ensure annual expenditures do not exceed revenues.

Budget Process

Sequence through which a state develops, legislates, and implements its fiscal plan.

Sources of Tax Revenue

Primary income streams such as individual income, sales, property, and corporate taxes.

Types of Taxes

Different levies, including progressive income, regressive sales, selective excise, and property taxes.

Rainy Day Fund

Reserve account holding surplus revenues for use during economic downturns or emergencies.

Politics of Taxation

Debates over who pays taxes, at what rates, and how the collected revenue is spent.

Types of Budgets

Formats like line-item, program, performance, and zero-based budgets used to allocate governmental funds.

Types of Courts

State judicial levels: trial courts, intermediate appellate courts, and courts of last resort.

Jurisdiction

Legal authority of a court to hear and decide a particular case type or geographic area.

Judicial Philosophy

A judge’s approach to interpreting law and constitutions, e.g., activism versus restraint.

Judicial Federalism

Doctrine that state courts can interpret their constitutions to expand rights beyond federal minimums.

Criminal Case

Legal proceeding in which the government prosecutes an individual for violating criminal law.

Civil Case

Non-criminal dispute between parties seeking monetary damages or specific performance.

Local Government

Political subdivisions of a state—counties, municipalities, special districts—administering local affairs.

Functions of Local Government

Services such as policing, education, sanitation, zoning, and infrastructure provided at the local level.

General-Purpose Government

Local unit (e.g., city or county) delivering a broad range of public services.

Single-Purpose Government

Local entity (e.g., school district, transit authority) created to perform one specific function.

Home Rule

State-granted authority allowing local governments to draft charters and manage affairs with minimal state interference.

Dillon’s Rule

Legal doctrine stating that local governments possess only powers expressly granted by the state.

Strong Mayor System

Municipal structure where the mayor holds substantial executive authority, including budget and appointment powers.

Weak Mayor System

City government form in which the mayor has limited powers and the council wields greater control.