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Chapter 2: State and Local Politics

• Who Governs?• Influences on State and

Local Governments• Participation Patterns in

Local Government• Challenges for State

and Local Governments

Who Governs?LO 2.1 Contrast the functions of federal, state, and local governments, and evaluate the theories of decision-making in local governments.

Role of State and Local Governments•Provide most services

• Schools• Transportation• Land use• Social services

•Make most decisions• Regulate driving, occupations, families• Criminal behavior to be tried

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LO 2.1

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

Who Governs?

Who Has the Power? Alternatives

•Power elite

•Community power

•Local values, traditions, structure of governmental organizations

LO 2.1

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Influences on State and Local GovernmentsLO 2.2 Analyze the activities and influence of interest groups and lobbyists at the state and local levels.

State and Local Governments

•Wide range of sizes—2k to millions

•Wide range of organized special-interest groups

•Lobbyists

LO 2.2

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Participation Patterns in Local GovernmentLO 2.3 Assess the level and consistency of involvement of the major participants in local communities.

Participation Patterns•Trust for government

• 69% for local—higher than other levels•Local media

• Usually do not cover local issues well•Grassroots apathy

• Lowest voter turnout• That gives you more opportunity

LO 2.3

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Challenges for State and Local GovernmentsLO 2.4 Evaluate the challenges facing state and local governments.

State and Local Governments

•People want more services but lower taxes.

•Political divisions exist over new immigrants.

•Infrastructure needs to be repaired or rebuilt.

•Costs of corrections and prisons have skyrocketed.

LO 2.4

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Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

State and Local Governments (cont.)•Persistent poverty•Best possible education--equitable guarantee?•Environmental regulation, land use, recycling•Health care costs and delivery affect all levels of government

Challenges for State and Local Governments

LO 2.4

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Which of the following do some studies claim elected officials are subordinate to?

A. Power elite

B. Community power

C. Local values

D. Traditions

LO 2.1

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A. Power elite

B. Community power

C. Local values

D. Traditions

LO 2.1

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Which of the following do some studies claim elected officials are subordinate to?

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For what reason do lobbyist have freer rein at the state level?

A. Group influence is diluted.

B. States have stricter rules about lobbying.

C. Groups can concentrate their influence in state governments.

D. All of the above

LO 2.2

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For what reason do lobbyist have freer rein at the state level?

A. Group influence is diluted.

B. States have stricter rules about lobbying.

C. Groups can concentrate their influence in state governments.

D. All of the above

LO 2.2

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Local governments tend to be trusted by citizens ___ than/to the national government.

A. Less

B. Equal

C. More

LO 2.3

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Local governments tend to be trusted by citizens ___ than/to the national government.

A. Less

B. Equal

C. More

LO 2.3

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What challenge was brought to national prominence by the Minneapolis bridge?

A. Poverty in the cities

B. Infrastructure needs to be repaired

C. Costs of corrections are skyrocketing

D. Recycling

LO 2.4

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What challenge was brought to national prominence by the Minneapolis bridge?

A. Poverty in the cities

B. Infrastructure needs to be repaired

C. Costs of corrections are skyrocketing

D. Recycling

LO 2.4

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