POLS 207 EXAM VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GUARANTEED PASS

POLS 207 EXAM VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GUARANTEED PASS What are some electoral devices used at the local level? - Answer- Initiative, Recall, and Referendum What are some examples of the fate of some recent ballot initiatives in the states? - Answer- Recall: In Plymouth, California, voters recalled the mayor and two city council members for supporting efforts by the Mikok Indian tribe to purchase 200 acres to build a casino inside the city limits Referendum: In Miami Beach, Florida, voters said the city should provide employee benefits to gay & heterosexual domestic partners Initiative: In Greenfield, Massachusetts, voters rejected the city's involvement in wood burring "biomass" power plant. What is the role of organized interests in initiative campaigns? - Answer- Special interests: specific businesses or industries that sponsor initiative campaigns Organized interests are the backbone for legalizing laws and funding these campaigns What are some Reform Proposals? - Answer- -Neutral voter guides be printed by the state -Names & affiliations of major contributors to initiative campaigns be published -Courts scrutinize titles on initiatives to ensure that they accurately reflect their purposes and intent Arguments in support of Direct democracy - Answer- -enhances government responsiveness and accountability -allows citizen groups to bring their concerns directly to the public -stimulates debate about policy issues -stimulates voter interest and improves election day turnout -increases trust in government and diminishes alienation Arguments in support of Representative democracy - Answer- -Ballot initiatives creates an environment that encourages citizens to trust their elected officials -Money is important -Voters are sufficiently informed to cast intelligent ballots on many issues -Facilitates adoption of wise and sound policies -Encourages majorities to protect the rights of individuals ad minorities Assessment of representative government in the states - Answer- -State legislatures, and indeed state governments are perceived by the American public as largely unresponsive, frequently unethical, & dominated by special interests, therefore representative government is declining. What is the typical limit for each of the two houses of the state legislatures? - Answer- 8 What is the typical electoral margin by which the initiative passes? - Answer- 67% Arguments for term limits - Answer- -Citizen legislators have largely been replaced by career professional politicians -Force politicians to return home and live under the laws they make -Increase competition in the electoral system Arguments against term limits - Answer- -They infringe on the voters' freedom of choice -Inexperienced legislators would be forced to rely more on the policy information supplied to them -Term limits would weaken the legislature