POLS 207 Exam 1 Dyer TAMU

police powers

"policy power" to promote general welfare of community. Defined by communities' values

why there is different policies

demographics and religion

notable demographic change in US

increase in minority population

religiosity

strength of a religious force in a community

state responses to immigration

sanctuary cities making their own policies/restrictions on wlefare and services

collective action

a problem that can be resolved with government/political process

political idealogy

set of assumptions of how society works. not party affiliation

conservative

values social order and economic efficiency. govt should regulate social choices

liberal

social freedom/economic equality. govt does not regulate social choices, and should regulate value for general good

libertarian

social freedom/economic efficiency. individual autonomy and minimal govt. not anarchists

populist

govt intervention to benefit the average person. must conform to traditional beliefs. distrust of elites (like capitalism)

role of govt

maintain order

provide public goods

promote equality?

political culture

shared framework of beliefs related to govt/politics

daniel elazer's classifications

developed causal theory to explain patterns of culture

clusters of immigrants w/ distinct cultures settled in fixed areas

individualistic classification

-market driven

-wealth/power qualify them to govern

-material self interest motivates people to enter public life

-more political corruption and ethical violation

moralistic classification

-govt is positive force for good

-advances public interest

-citizens have duty to serve

-politicians seek office to advance issues

-govt is a public service

-civil service bureaucracy viewed favorably

traditionalistic political culture

-elite lineage is all that matters

-govt created to serve elites/maintain order

-obligation to govern by family

-civil service interferes w/ personal relationships

Texas political culture

traditionalistic and individualistic

long history of one party rule

conservatism

support for private business

opposition to govt interference

faith in individual initiatives

mixture of old south and frontier influences

patriotism

purpose of constitutions

legitimacy

basic framework

limiting govt power

state constitutions

longer/more specific

used to carefully control govt

make more policy decisions

less interpretation

entrenches policy

local govts

don't have any independent power over their upper level

deadwood

extra writing in constitutions that has been amended but not removed. irrelevant text

direct democracy

the people make the laws

not suitable for large nation

only at US state/local level

representative democracy

elected representatives make decisions

about elections

more efficient

refines public opinion

tyranny of the majority

Majority party will always win the vote and can suppress the minority

parts with more direct democracy

state/local level

the west of the US

(not texas)

legislative proposal

state legislators write an amendment and submit it to voters

popular initiative

voters can collect signatures and drive a petition

constitutional convention

legislature proposes a convention to draft a referendum

Constitutional commission

studies and recommends changes to legislative body

powers of state level voters

initiate laws

ratify laws

recall elected officials

pros of direct democracy

popular control

responsibility

public debate

stimulates voter turnout

increased trust

cons of direct democracy

tyranny of majority

public can adopt unwise policies

voters not fully informed

fewer compromise opportunities

makes interest groups more powerful

encourages distrust of govt

27

times federal constitution was amended

how to amend Texas constitution

proposed by 2/3 of both houses

simple majority of voters

referendum

vote on what is drafted by state

initiative

voters put something on ballot then vote

-need petition and signatures

-available at Texas local level

recall

removal of an elected official

solely political

fairly uncommon

only available at local level for Texas

for term limits

legislators don't become career politicians

more open seat races/competitive

against term limits

restrict people's choices

career politicians have more knowledge/influence

less reliant on lobbyists and interest groups

unitary system

govt creates subnational units w/ no individual power

confederation

govt only has power given to it by the states

loose alliance

federal system

power constitutionally divided b/t levels of govt

why states should have individual power

protection against tyranny

decentralization of political power

more participation

better efficiency

policy responsiveness

pioneer solutions

problems of federalism

conflict with national power and interest

what should be nationally uniform?

enumerated powers

powers explicitly written

implied powers

powers derived from necessary and proper clause

supremacy clause

states that federal law is superior to state law

reserved powers

powers not delegated to the federal govt, so given to states

national govt obligations to the states

territorial integrity

republican form of govt

equal representation in the senate

protection from foreign invasion

protection from domestic violence

state obligations to each other

full faith/credit (marriage/contracts)

extradition (moving criminals back to state of crime)

privileges and immunities (states can't discriminate based on state residency)

judicial branch

political institution in charge of hearing legal disputes (falls under original jurisdiction)

things constitution doesn't list

state rights

federalism

commerce clause

can increase regulatory power of the US

general welfare clause

gives congress power to tax and spend for general welfare

ability to give land grants

ability to take income tax

ability to give federal grants-in-aid

block grant

money given for a broad function

categorical grant

more specific, more oversight/ control of money given

dual federalism

clear division between national and state functions (layer cake)

cooperative federalism

national/state/local have mixed resources (marble cake)

centralized federalism

no cooperation/assistance

national govt takes lead

more direct aid to local govts

new federalism

"devolution"

transferring responsibility back to the states

more block grants

pros-efficiency/innovation

cons- fragmented policies

devolution

transferring responsibility back to the states

coercive federalism

influencing and directly regulating the states -> underfunded

bottom up federalism

states take the lead to address problems, pushing back against national policy. non partisan movement

unfunded mandate

national govt forces states to do something without giving them money to do it

(standardized testing)

supreme court revival of federalism

limiting the commerce clause

invalidating laws that control states

draws the line on many gray topics

nationalistic interpretation

McCulloch v. Maryland (under marshall court)

doctrine of implied powers

limits states abilities to impede national govt

14th amendment

equal protection clause

The Framer's Claim

states protected by "political dynamics"

states have the advantage bc they are closer to the people and their values