Question 1

Discuss the major differences between the mayor-council and council-manager systems of government. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Which do you think is the 'best' form of local government, and why?

Accepted Answer

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Question 2

One possible consequence of municipal electoral reforms such as off-year, non-partisan elections is that they contribute to

Accepted Answer

Off-year, non-partisan elections may lead to lower voter turnout, as they are held separately from other elections and may not receive as much attention or publicity. This could result in barriers to mass participation, as fewer people may have a say in local government decisions. The other options (biased civil service policies, weak municipal executives, low-level corruption and bribery) are not directly related to the electoral reforms described.

Question 3

Which of the following acts established a Civil Service Commission that began to de-politicize the hiring and firing of many federal employees?

Accepted Answer

The Pendleton Act of 1883 established the Civil Service Commission, which aimed to de-politicize the hiring and firing of many federal employees by requiring that they be hired and promoted based on merit rather than political connections or party affiliation. The Hatch Act of 1939 restricted the political activities of federal employees, while the Bland-Allison Act of 1878 and the Newlands Resolution of 1898 were related to monetary policy and territorial expansion, respectively, but did not concern the establishment of a Civil Service Commission.

Question 4

Discuss the reason for civil service reforms in municipalities. Have civil service reforms resulted in impartial and more efficient bureaucracies? Or are there some unseen limitations of civil service reforms?

Accepted Answer

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Question 5

What are urban party machines? How did they operate? What ended the urban party machine era, and what has largely replaced it?

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

Which of the following eroded urban machines' ability to directly communicate with and influence their partisan supporters?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

How did the urban reform movement in the early twentieth century change the design of local governments? Do you think the changes have been for the better? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

Which of the following is NOT true regarding voter registration and its reforms?

Accepted Answer

Statewide voter turnout generally decreased after the adoption of voter registration laws in the 1900s. These laws often made it more difficult for people to register to vote, which contributed to lower voter turnout.

Question 9

When balancing the politics of local government, some observers suggest that gains in administrative efficiency may come at the price of

Accepted Answer

Balancing administrative efficiency in local government may result in less direct control of these governments by citizens. This may occur because streamlined processes and decision-making can reduce opportunities for involvement from the public or for checks and balances on officials. However, this does not necessarily mean that fair representation or qualified officials are sacrificed, nor does it necessarily lead to more corruption or suppression of political opinions of minorities.

Question 10

Discuss the different ways cities were governed during the nineteenth-century as compared to today? Be sure to assess the major institutional differences.

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Quiz 11: The Politics of Land Use and Development