State and Local Politics
Study Guide for Exam #2
Chapter 6
What are the three primary functions of legislatures? What do these
involve?
What were the primary reasons why state legislatures did not
function well in the first half of the 20th century? What reforms
were made to improve this situation in most states? Was this done in IL?
Explain.
What is redistricting? How often is this done? Why? How
do Baker v. Carr and Reynolds v. Sims relate to redistricting? What was
the main focus or outcome of these cases? What is Gerrymandering? Are
any types of Gerrymandering
okay? Why?
What are the different roles that a legislator can play (delegate,
for example)? Where does the real work in legislatures take place? Why?
What are some of the different types of committees, and what are
their functions?
What is a pocket veto? Is this a provision in all states?
What happens in states where there is no provision for a pocket veto?
Chapter 7
What are the different roles that governors play? What can enhance
the role of chief policy maker? What does the role of chief legislature
largely depend upon? Finally, what are some of the advantages
associated with
the ceremonial role?
What is the difference between formal and informal power? Which
do governors tend to rely upon more? Why? List some of the formal
gubernatorial powers (including a differentiation between the various
types of veto),
and discuss ways to enhance informal power.
Has the role of the governor in state politics increased or decreased
over the last twenty-five years? Why? What led to this change?
How are governors removed from office? Is impeachment used often?
List some of the other elected official in the executive branch
and be prepared to identify some of their primary duties/abilities.
Chapter 8
How can the budget be linked to Easton’s definition of politics?
Is the budget a tangible expression of values? Explain.
Differentiate between appointment by merit and patronage?
Which period is associated with patronage? What piece of legislation
was designed to put an end to patronage and created the federal merit
system (which
most states copied)?
Discuss implementation vs. interpretation. What is bureaucratic
discretion? Is there a reason for bureaucratic discretion? Is there
a distinct line between elected officials and public administrators
(bureaucrats)
in developing and carrying out policy? Explain.
Why is it difficult for state and local administrators to act in the
“public interest?”
Chapter 9
distinguish between the different types of courts. What
power or responsibility does each court have? What was the structural
result of the state court reform movement of the 60s&70s?
What are some of the current types of reforms being tried in
state courts to reduce heavy caseloads and to increase efficiency?
What are some of the ways in which judges are selected? What
is the Missouri Plan? How are judges selected in Illinois?
How are judges removed? Who removes them?
What are some of the factors that influence judicial decision
making? Discuss judicial restrain vs. judicial activism. Is
judicial decision making sometimes as subjective as the decision making
of other govt.
official?
Explain.
Chapter 10
differentiate between general purpose and single-purpose governments.
Why are most special districts created? What do most scholarly observers
think about special districts? Why? Where do local
governments derive their power? What is “home-rule?”
What are the three main structures of local governance? What
do they have in common? Which particular form is the most dominant?
Why?
What is exclusionary zoning? Why is it done? Who benefits?
What is annexation? Defensive incorporation?
Chapters 11 & 12
What are the pluralist and Elitist theories of who runs local
governments? Which do you agree with? Why?
What are the different managerial styles of city managers? What
are the key factors in determining whether a particular style is successful?
Have city councils become more or less diverse over time? What
has impacted the diversity of city councils? Do women on city councils
tend to pursue the same issues as men? Explain any differences. Do
women differ from one another? Explain
What is the recent trend in terms of state-local relationships?
Is there a growing recognition that stronger local governments can be beneficial
partners with the state? Explain.
What are state mandates? What are the three basic complaints
that local governments have about state mandates? What is the ideal
relationship between states and local governments (in the eyes of the local
governments)?
Once again, this may seem intimidating but it does cover EVERYTHING
on the exam – study and do well!!