Question 1

The unofficial region of the United States generally comprising the South and West is known as the Sunbelt.

Accepted Answer

The Sunbelt is indeed an unofficial region of the United States that generally comprises the South and West, known for its warm climate and rapid population growth.

Question 2

The pure forms of political culture presented by Daniel Elazar continue to characterize the political cultures found in most states today.

Accepted Answer

While Elazar's pure forms of political culture (moralistic, individualistic, and traditionalistic) are still useful for analyzing political cultures, they do not fully encompass the complex diversity found in modern states today. Many states have unique blends of these cultures, as well as new emerging cultures, making it difficult to fit neatly into one of Elazar's categories.

Question 3

Diversity, competitiveness, and resiliency are unique characteristics of the fifty-state system under federalism.Explain how each contributes to the states' role within the federal system.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Diversity, competitiveness, and resiliency are unique characteristics...

Question 4

Among the cities that experienced the largest population losses between 2000 and 2009 was New Orleans, Louisiana.

Accepted Answer

New Orleans lost a significant portion of its population due to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, resulting in one of the largest population losses in the United States from 2000-2009.

Question 5

In the last forty years, the states have increased their capacity for problem solving in a number of ways.Discuss some of the ways in which state capacity has increased.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the last forty years, the states...

Question 6

Culture wars have become a significant and controversial part of the political landscape at all levels of government.Describe what culture wars involve and why they have become so important in recent years.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Culture wars have become a significant and...

Question 7

Population growth and migration can have significant economic and political consequences for states.

Accepted Answer

Population growth and migration can impact a state's economy (e.g. increased demand for resources, changes in labor market) and political landscape (e.g. shifts in voting demographics, cultural tensions).

Question 8

Define the concept of political culture.Why is it important to understand political culture, and how does it affect politics in the states and local governments? Using Daniel Elazar's categories of political culture, explain the category into which your state falls, and list several contributing factors behind that categorization.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define the concept of political culture.Why is...

Question 9

The devastation of Hurricane Katrina caused New Orleans to lose more than half (about 54 percent)of its population.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The devastation of Hurricane Katrina caused New...

Question 10

Tension between the national and non-national governments is minimal in a federal system.

Accepted Answer

Tension between the national and non-national governments can occur in a federal system due to issues such as the distribution of powers, funding, and conflicting policy goals.

Question 11

Current U.S.Census figures put the Anglo population at 74 percent, the African American population at 13 percent, the Latino population at 15 percent, and the Asian population at 4 percent.

Accepted Answer

The given statement correctly represents the current U.S. Census figures for the Anglo, African American, Latino, and Asian populations.

Question 12

In the area of economic development, interjurisdictional conflict is not a common problem.

Accepted Answer

Interjurisdictional conflict is a common problem in the area of economic development, as different jurisdictions often compete for the same businesses, investment, and resources. This can lead to tensions and conflicts between local, regional, and state governments, as well as between different levels of government.

Question 13

Battlegrounds in the "culture wars" include policy issues such as abortion, gay marriage, pornography, displaying the Ten Commandments in public buildings, and prayer in schools.

Accepted Answer

These are all contentious issues often debated in the "culture wars" in the United States, among other countries.

Question 14

The populations of Nevada and Arizona outpaced other states between 2000 and 2009.

Accepted Answer

Between 2000 and 2009, the populations of Nevada and Arizona grew at faster rates than those of other states in the United States.

Quiz 1: New Direction for State and Local Government