Chapter 10 | Spatial Patterns of Political Power

Federalism

also allows room for diversity.

Political motivations

impact policies and affect where money is directed.

Reapportionment

: The redistribution of representative seats among states based on shifts in population.

regional unit

A(n) can pass a law that applies to it and not to the rest of the country.

number of minority

Gerrymandered districts have resulted in an increase in the representatives in Congress.

geographical area

The accuracy of an elections representation of its depends on the methods employed.

Unitary systems

tend to favor the politically or culturally dominant group, resulting in governments that issue one- sided policies.

federal states

In , power is held by regional units.

Congress

Every state has two U.S. senators in , which does not result in proportional representation.

US Senate

The has its own representation issue- it represents states, not people.

Federal state

The organization of a state in which power is shared between the federal government and its internal regional units

internal boundaries

During redistricting, a states are redrawn to better reflect new census data.

president

The is not elected directly by the people, but by….

Unitary state

An organization of a state in which power is concentrated in a central government

Concurrent

Sharing authority

Reapportionment

The redistribution of representative seats among states based on shifts in population

Federal state

The organization of a state in which power is shared between the federal government and its internal regional units

Unitary state

An organization of a state in which power is concentrated in a central government

A major advantage of a unitary system is its efficiency

laws are implemented quickly, evenly, fairly, and with less duplication

Concurrent

Sharing authority

Reapportionment

The redistribution of representative seats among states based on shifts in population

Electoral college

A set of people, called electors, who are chosen to elect the president and vice president of the United States

Redistricting

The redrawing of internal territorial and political boundaries

Gerrymandering

The dividing of legislative boundaries to give one political party an advantage in elections

Majority-minority district

An electoral district in which the majority of voters are members of an ethnic or racial minority

Voters elect their representatives

At-large elections, district elections, and or a combinations of both

Electoral college

A set of people, called electors, who are chosen to elect the president and vice president of the United States

Redistricting

The redrawing of internal territorial and political boundaries

Gerrymandering

The dividing of legislative boundaries to give one political party an advantage in elections

Majority-minority district

An electoral district in which the majority of voters are members of an ethnic or racial minority

Advantages of unitary states

Fewer agencies, less corrupt, very efficient

Disadvantages of unitary states

Disconnected from local issues, can be one-sided, slower responses

Advantages of federal states

Decreased conflict when disagreement, regional laws, diversity in opinions

Disadvantages of federal states

Can slow national progress, policy can be blocked locally, undue power to local interest, uneven cost/benefits