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
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LO 2.1
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
Who Governs?
Who Has the Power? Alternatives
• Power elite
• Community power
• Local values, traditions, structure of
governmental organizations
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Influences on State and Local
Governments
LO 2.2
LO 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
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Participation Patterns in Local
Government
LO 2.3
LO 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
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Challenges for State and Local
Governments
LO 2.4
LO 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.
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Challenges for State and Local
Governments
LO 2.4
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
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Which of the following do some
studies claim elected officials are
subordinate to?
LO 2.1
A. Power elite
B. Community power
C. Local values
D. Traditions
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Which of the following do some
studies claim elected officials are
subordinate to?
LO 2.1
A. Power elite
B. Community power
C. Local values
D. Traditions
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For what reason do lobbyist have
freer rein at the state level?
LO 2.2
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
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For what reason do lobbyist have
freer rein at the state level?
LO 2.2
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
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Local governments tend to be trusted
by citizens ___ than/to the national
government.
LO 2.3
A. Less
B. Equal
C. More
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Local governments tend to be trusted
by citizens ___ than/to the national
government.
LO 2.3
A. Less
B. Equal
C. More
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LO 2.4
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
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LO 2.4
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
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Back to learning objectives