Deck 1: New Directions for State and Local Governments

Question 1

The territorial range of government authority is referred to as

A) a district.
B) federalism.
C) a jurisdiction.
D) capacity.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

How does government corruption impact the economy?

A) It causes a temporary rise in economic growth that is followed shortly after by a severe recession.
B) Surprisingly, it causes economic growth to rise steadily.
C) It causes economic growth to slow down.
D) Studies show that corruption has no real impact on economic growth.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Federalism is BEST described as a system of government

A) in which powers are divided between a central (national) government and regional (state) governments.
B) in which powers are given solely to a central (national) government leaving no power to regional (state) governments.
C) in which powers are given solely to the regional (state) governments and no powers are given to the central (national).
D) without a central (national) government.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

According to the text, the term jurisdiction is sometimes used as a synonym for

A) federal government.
B) federalism.
C) state or nation.
D) city or town.

Question 5

According to Daniel Elazar, which political culture views the function of politics as maintaining the existing order, and political participation as confined to social elites?

A) moralistic culture
B) postmodern culture
C) traditionalistic culture
D) individualistic culture

Question 6

At the local level, data on the number of federal convictions for public corruption over a 35-year period showed the _______ metropolitan area to be the most corrupt in the nation.

A) New York
B) Chicago
C) Los Angeles
D) Boston

Question 7

According to the text, increased national-state conflict seems the inevitable result of

A) more capable state and local governments.
B) federal efforts to withdraw support from nonnational government.
C) too many talk show hosts and blogs inciting activists.
D) the state courts' involvement in national-state issues.

Question 8

How have state constitutions changed over the past three decades?

A) They have become "drag anchors of state programs" and as "protectors of special interests.
B) They have become more focused on controversial social issues like abortion, assisted suicide, and gay marriage.
C) They have been streamlined and made more workable.
D) They have become significantly longer as states accrue more responsibility from the federal government.

Question 9

Daniel Elazar used the term political culture to refer to

A) the way people think about their government and how the political system operates.
B) the particular mix of native-born and first-generation Americans.
C) socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic variables that affect political outcomes in the states.
D) the ideology that members of political parties hold toward issues that affect their states and local communities.

Question 10

The term _______ refers to the ability of government to respond effectively to change, to make decisions efficiently and responsively, and to manage conflict.

A) aptitude
B) jurisdiction
C) resurgence
D) capacity

Question 11

In the aftermath of the Great Recession, the "new normal" is an environment in many states characterized by

A) rising revenues and expanding services.
B) stagnant revenues and budget cuts.
C) few changes to the provision of public services.
D) stagnant revenues and expanding services.

Question 12

According to the text, an efficient government is one that

A) maximizes the output (services) from a given input (resources).
B) avoids controversy and partisan rhetoric.
C) focuses all of its resources and attention on social services.
D) operates without a budget deficit.

Question 13

What does the term fiscal stress refer to?

A) the pressures states and local governments face regarding interjurisdictional problems
B) the pressures states and local governments face regarding interstate conflicts
C) the pressures created when expenditures are greater than revenues
D) the pressures created when revenues are greater than expenditures

Question 14

A 2011 estimate by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security placed the number of illegal immigrants at approximately

A) 300,000, with 25 percent coming from Mexico.
B) 5 million, with 25 percent coming from Mexico.
C) 11.5 million with 59 percent coming from Mexico.
D) 20 million with 10 percent coming from Mexico.

Question 15

When states bid against one another for economic development, they

A) enhance interstate cooperation.
B) use tax breaks and regulatory relaxation as incentives.
C) seldom use inducements that, in the long-run, will cost them money.
D) usually work out agreements that allow other states to share in the economic benefits.

Question 16

As a precaution to reduce corruption, the states have moved to make government more open, understandable and accountable to the public. This is known as

A) capacity.
B) transparency.
C) the new normal.
D) devolution.

Question 17

Between 2010 and 2012, higher rates of population growth were more prevalent in which of the following regions?

A) Northeast and South
B) Midwest and West
C) Northeast and Midwest
D) West and South

Question 18

In general, what is the relationship between population growth and politics?

A) Population growth breeds political corruption.
B) Population growth encourages honesty and integrity among politicians.
C) Political power and influence generally follow population.
D) Population growth has little effect on state and local governments.

Question 19

According to the text, nonnational governments face three tough challenges today. What are those challenges?

A) fiscal stress, inefficient political paradigms, and disgruntled public employees
B) fiscal stress, environmental pollution, and youth violence
C) fiscal stress, bureaucratic red tape, lack of cooperation from the federal government
D) fiscal stress, interjurisdictional conflict, and political corruption

Question 20

In general, state and local governments in the 1950s and 1960s were havens of

A) traditionalism and inactivity.
B) innovation and efficiency.
C) partisanship and controversy.
D) deception and illegal activity.

Question 21

According to the text, what are the three unique characteristics of the United States' fifty-state system?

A) diversity, competitiveness, and resiliency
B) cooperation, shared values, and forgiveness
C) uniformity, intelligence, and rationalism
D) business acumen, flexibility, and shared values

Question 22

Based on numerous social, economic, and political characteristics, which state was found to be the most representative of the country as a whole by political scientists Michael Lewis-Beck and Peverill Squire?

A) California
B) Kansas
C) New Mexico
D) Mississippi

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT one of the distinctive features of culture wars identified by political scientist Elaine Sharp?

A) They are highly salient to people.
B) They mobilize people from different backgrounds and groups.
C) They usually result in a compromise that satisfies both sides.
D) They result in unconventional forms of political activism.

Question 24

The social conflict over political and legal actions related to a morality issue such as same-sex marriage is an example of

A) the North-South divide.
B) the culture wars.
C) interstate conflict.
D) the new normal in fiscal policy.

Question 25

To promote the exchange of innovative approaches developed by state governments, the Council of State Governments (CSG), a national nonpartisan nonprofit organization, created a website called "Capitol Ideas," which showcases the ways in which states address different issues.

Question 26

States and communities with more capacity work better than those with less capacity.

Question 27

Among the factors that contributed to state resurgence are: reformed constitutions, reformed institutions, and the presence of active state and local lobbyist organizations at the national level.

Question 28

An assessment of political corruption in the states determined that the Dakotas, Colorado, and Maine had the least corruption.

Question 29

When surveyed about the characteristics of good government, the citizens of Iowa put trustworthiness, ethics, financial responsibility, and accountability at the top of the list.

Question 30

The primary functions of state and local governments are to make policy for and provide services to the public.

Question 31

Interjurisdictional conflict is particularly common in two policy areas: education and health care.

Question 32

Approximately 38 million, or 13 percent, of the United States' population was born in another country.

Question 33

With respect to natural disasters, interjurisdictional conflict is NOT a common problem.

Question 34

During the 1980s, states experienced resurgence, but by the 1990s the resurgence had waned as states became more reactive rather than proactive due to fiscal stress caused by the poor condition of the national economy.

Question 35

Interstate cooperation is illustrated in the states working together to sue some of America's largest corporations to recover Medicaid funds spent on tobacco-related illnesses and to fight unfair business practices by filing an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft Corp.

Question 36

The term mad money refers to money set aside when a state's finances are healthy, for use when state revenues decline.

Question 37

As a general rule, state governments prefer to increase user charges, gasoline taxes, and so-called sin taxes on alcohol and tobacco in order to generate revenue. They only reluctantly raise sales and income taxes.

Question 38

The concept of federalism refers to a system of government in which power is shared between the national and regional governments.

Question 39

The concept of jurisdiction refers to government's ability to respond effectively to change, make decisions efficiently and responsively, and manage conflict.

Question 40

States that consider politics as a kind of open marketplace in which people participate for private motivations abide by the _______ political culture.

A) individualistic
B) moralistic
C) provisional
D) traditionalistic

Question 41

Higher rates of growth were once more prevalent in cities in the Sunbelt region than in cities of the Frostbelt, but that trend has recently changed.

Question 42

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 or categories into which your state falls, and list several contributing factors behind your categorization.

Question 43

During the last three decades, states and localities have generally increased their capacity to provide services. Discuss factors that reinforce the performance of states and localities during this time period. In doing so, illustrate each factor with an example.

Question 44

Transparency refers to the ability of local stations to broadcast internal government meetings.

Question 45

Most states can still be characterized by the pure forms of political culture presented by Daniel Elazar.

Question 46

The concept of political culture refers to the attitudes, values, and beliefs people hold toward government.

Question 47

Social conflict surrounding issues like abortion, pornography, and prayer in schools exemplify the culture wars.

Question 48

In the last several years following the Great Recession, states' and localities' budgets have been hit very hard. Discuss several ways this fiscal stress has impacted the states. Conclude with a discussion of what the future might hold for state governments and their capacity to provide services as a result of this recent fiscal stress.

Question 49

The unofficial region of the nation comprised of the South and West is known as the Sunbelt.

Question 50

The most intractable problem for states and localities involves money.

Question 51

There seldom is tension between the national and nonnational governments in a federal system.

Question 52

The most frequent sources of intergovernmental conflict are over natural resources and economic development.

Question 53

In a moralistic political culture, politics is an effort to establish a good and just society.

Question 54

What are cultural wars, and how have they affected politics in the states? Provide specific examples that illustrate how cultural wars have affected politics and policy in the states.

Question 55

Census projections for the year 2050 estimate a nation of approximately 440 million people, with the Anglo population dropping to 50 percent of the total population.

Question 56

Population changes carry enormous economic and political consequences for state and local governments. Generally, power and influence follow populations. Describe the trends of the late 2000s and what implications they have for states and Congress.