POLS 207 Exam 1 Review With
Rationales Answers
Why are federal grants-in-aid important? - ANSWER-One government giving money to
another government. States get a lot of their money from the federal government
What are mandates? - ANSWER-The federal government says you have to do
something or they will fine you. There are three types:
- Funded
- Under-funded
- Unfunded
What is preemption? - ANSWER-The national government makes a law before the state
can do anything
What is usually contained in state constitutions (Bill of Rights, detailed policies, etc.)? -
ANSWER-Bill of rights
- Separation of Powers
- Weak governors
- Legislative powers to make laws
- Local governments
- Interest group regulation
- Taxation and Finance
- Debt limitation
The one key difference between the federal and state constitution are the laws
regarding local governments
What is constitutionalism? - ANSWER-The law of the land
Why are state constitutions long? - ANSWER-The local government laws, deadwood
out of date laws, its poorly written
From where do local governments derive their power? - ANSWER-The state
How do most states amend their constitution? - ANSWER-Legislative Proposal --> 2/3
House vote --> 2/3 Senate vote--> the people vote
What are the functions of counties and cities? - ANSWER-Property taxes.
Sheriff's office
County commissioner.
Mainly administrative functions for the states.
, Cities handle day-to-day services, counties do that and handle land
What do special districts do? - ANSWER-Special districts can cross multiple counties
and have control over one specific area such as mass transit
Local government, has a single purpose
What are the different types of elections (at-large, single member district, etc.)? -
ANSWER-At-large elections: (everyone can vote for the position running)
Pure at large: --> all of the electorate votes and candidates who receive the most votes
get one of the available spots.
At large by position --> all of the electorate votes but the candidates run for individual
numbered seats.
At large from residency district --> candidates run to represent a specific district where
they live but the entire city or county gets to vote on them.
Single member district elections: residents only get to vote for the representative for the
district they live in (vote in defined areas )
Combination electoral system: some seats are voted on by the entire city/ county while
others are by district. Officials voted on at large or single member districts.(vote in
defined areas )
What are the different political cultures? - ANSWER-Moralistic government: is seen as a
"good thing "; government is there to help man search for the good society
Individualistic government: is more of a market place; deals with government being
more of supply and demand (government supplies themselves when in need) problems
are solved at the lowest level possible
Traditionalistic government: is more about social networks; it's about who you know, not
what you know
What is the political culture of Texas? - ANSWER-Texas is a mix of individualistic and
traditionalistic
What is the philosophy behind the current Texas Constitution? - ANSWER-Low tax,
weak governor, easy to amend (It was in response to the Davis administration.)
Whats the historical development of the Texas Constitution? - ANSWER-Consitution of
Coahuila y Tejas, 1827 --> Written when under Mexican rule. Mexico City let their states
write their own constitution. Unicameral legislature, Catholicism is state religion, but
American immigrants don't have to be Catholic. It was written in Spanish. Santa Anna
tries to changed Mexico from federation to Unitary and causes Texas revolution.
Rationales Answers
Why are federal grants-in-aid important? - ANSWER-One government giving money to
another government. States get a lot of their money from the federal government
What are mandates? - ANSWER-The federal government says you have to do
something or they will fine you. There are three types:
- Funded
- Under-funded
- Unfunded
What is preemption? - ANSWER-The national government makes a law before the state
can do anything
What is usually contained in state constitutions (Bill of Rights, detailed policies, etc.)? -
ANSWER-Bill of rights
- Separation of Powers
- Weak governors
- Legislative powers to make laws
- Local governments
- Interest group regulation
- Taxation and Finance
- Debt limitation
The one key difference between the federal and state constitution are the laws
regarding local governments
What is constitutionalism? - ANSWER-The law of the land
Why are state constitutions long? - ANSWER-The local government laws, deadwood
out of date laws, its poorly written
From where do local governments derive their power? - ANSWER-The state
How do most states amend their constitution? - ANSWER-Legislative Proposal --> 2/3
House vote --> 2/3 Senate vote--> the people vote
What are the functions of counties and cities? - ANSWER-Property taxes.
Sheriff's office
County commissioner.
Mainly administrative functions for the states.
, Cities handle day-to-day services, counties do that and handle land
What do special districts do? - ANSWER-Special districts can cross multiple counties
and have control over one specific area such as mass transit
Local government, has a single purpose
What are the different types of elections (at-large, single member district, etc.)? -
ANSWER-At-large elections: (everyone can vote for the position running)
Pure at large: --> all of the electorate votes and candidates who receive the most votes
get one of the available spots.
At large by position --> all of the electorate votes but the candidates run for individual
numbered seats.
At large from residency district --> candidates run to represent a specific district where
they live but the entire city or county gets to vote on them.
Single member district elections: residents only get to vote for the representative for the
district they live in (vote in defined areas )
Combination electoral system: some seats are voted on by the entire city/ county while
others are by district. Officials voted on at large or single member districts.(vote in
defined areas )
What are the different political cultures? - ANSWER-Moralistic government: is seen as a
"good thing "; government is there to help man search for the good society
Individualistic government: is more of a market place; deals with government being
more of supply and demand (government supplies themselves when in need) problems
are solved at the lowest level possible
Traditionalistic government: is more about social networks; it's about who you know, not
what you know
What is the political culture of Texas? - ANSWER-Texas is a mix of individualistic and
traditionalistic
What is the philosophy behind the current Texas Constitution? - ANSWER-Low tax,
weak governor, easy to amend (It was in response to the Davis administration.)
Whats the historical development of the Texas Constitution? - ANSWER-Consitution of
Coahuila y Tejas, 1827 --> Written when under Mexican rule. Mexico City let their states
write their own constitution. Unicameral legislature, Catholicism is state religion, but
American immigrants don't have to be Catholic. It was written in Spanish. Santa Anna
tries to changed Mexico from federation to Unitary and causes Texas revolution.
