Final Politics Exam Cumulative Review (Part 1)

Front 1

What percentages of Texans are White/Anglo (and Hispanic/Latino)?

Back 1

45% Anglo, 37% Hispanic

Front 2

What kind of "state" is Texas in regards to majority or minority?

Back 2

Considered a majority-minority state

Front 3

Definition of government

Back 3

Institute through which public policy is carried out

Front 4

Definition of politics

Back 4

Struggle over who gets what, when, where and how

Front 5

Definition of political culture

Back 5

set of attitudes and practices held by a people that shapes their political behavior

Front 6

Definition of individualism

Back 6

Being self sufficient and not relying on the government

Front 7

Definition of traditionalism

Back 7

Remaining true to tradition (low participation, favorable to business through eminent domain)

Front 8

What was Texas often referred to as in the bible belt?

Back 8

The buckle

Front 9

Number and percentage of people who are protestants, baptist, or catholic?

Back 9

6.5 million Protestants (34%), 4.6 Million baptist (24%), 4.5 million Catholics (24%)

Front 10

What is the purpose of a constitution?

Back 10

To limit the government and lay structure to said government

Front 11

What does the constitution establish define and prevent?

Back 11

establishes and lays structure to how a government should preform and prevents it from having too much power

Front 12

*Definition of constitutional guarantees

Back 12

Equal rights, protection and responsibilities between men and women

Front 13

Tenth Amendment

Back 13

Powers not delegated to federal gov are reserved for the state

Front 14

Powers of the states

Back 14

Police/taxing power, proprietary power, eminent domain (gov't claimed land/provided compensation)

Front 15

What is the plural executive?

Back 15

Texas limits the power of the Governor by distributing power usually associated with a chief executive among many elected political leaders.

Front 16

How long is the governors term?

Back 16

4 years

Front 17

Limits on Executive

Back 17

Constitution provides for weaker governor, term reduced to 2 years, executive/appointive powers would be limited, power would be distributed

Front 18

Amending the constitution

Back 18

2/3 by Texas senate/house, then majority approval by voters

Front 19

*Constitution of 1876 (what do we call it?)

Back 19

Amended 474 times, contains 85,000 words, 17 articles*

Front 20

What do local governments refer too?

Back 20

Cities/counties (over 5,000 local gov's in Texas) with the highest impact on daily life

Front 21

What are special districts?

Back 21

independent governmental units that exist separately from, and with substantial administrative and fiscal independence from, general purpose local governments such as county, municipal, and township governments.

Front 22

What are the qualifications of General Law?

Back 22

Under 5,000 people, Restrictions in organizing gov't, taxes, territory (must have weak mayoral) and are only allowed those rights specifically granted by legislature

Front 23

What are the qualifications of Home Rule?

Back 23

More than 5,000 people, governed by city charter (form of gov't), can adopt any of the 3 forms of government, can pass city ordinances/annex territory

Front 24

What are the 3 rights home rule receives that general law does not?

Back 24

Recall, Referendum, initiative

Front 25

*Special districts

Front 26

Weak Mayoral council

Back 26

Share power of city budget, limited administrative powers, choose heads of carious city departments. More power to city council.

Front 27

Strong mayoral council

Back 27

strong executive,mayor= full time administrator and chief executive while city council= legislature

Front 28

Council-Manager

Back 28

City council hires manager who runs day to day administration of city budget and is responsible for development of city

Front 29

Definition of political ideology

Back 29

Beliefs that shape thinking of individual and stance on role of government

Front 30

Regulation of economy, favor government involvement in social programs, equality of outcome... sounds like which political ideology?

Back 30

Liberal

Front 31

Local/state government over federal, equality of opportunity, reduce taxes/cut public spending... sounds like which political ideology?

Back 31

Conservative

Front 32

What ideology dominates Texas?

Back 32

traditionalist/individualistic, shift of allegiances to political party, Texas does not rank in 10 Most Conservative states

Front 33

Definition of political socialization?

Back 33

Process by which we teach/learn our political knowledge, beliefs, attitudes

Front 34

What are the 3 basic agents of political socialization (elaborate on each)?

Back 34

Family (most important agent), School (tends to reinforce political conservatism), and Media (echo business point of view in Texas).

Front 35

What party ruled in Texas until the 19th century? (Who was the leader)*

Back 35

Democratic (conservative)

Front 36

What party ruled in Texas from mid to early 20th century? Also, what happened during this time? (who was the leader)*

Back 36

Majority democratic, a gradual transition to two party state and the 1940 realignment began as National Democratic Power became more liberal

Front 37

What party ruled in mid 20th to early 21st century? (Who was the leader)*

Back 37

In 1978, Clements became first Republican governor.

Front 38

What party/who rules today?

Back 38

Republican, Greg Abbot.

Front 39

Stratarchy (with example)*

Back 39

Power diffused among levels (National, State, County, Precinct)

Front 40

5 Main requirements to vote in Texas

Back 40

Must be a U.S. Citizen, 18 years old, Must reside in Texas for 30 days, not be a convicted felon, form must be completed

Front 41

What does the law require voters to have in order to vote in texas?

Back 41

some form of ID, placing obstacles on minority, elderly and rural citizens

Front 42

What is a solution some states have implemented to help voter id registration?

Back 42

National Voter Registration Act of 1993 which allows registration by mail

Front 43

What is voter turnout (which election do most people show up for?)

Back 43

Number of people who cast ballots, presidential election

Front 44

Semi open primary definition

Back 44

allow voters to register or change party preference on election day

Front 45

Top 3 Reasons Texans don't vote

Back 45

1. Socioeconomic status: high poverty rate. 2. Political party system: more organized competitive parties = bigger turnout. 3. Socialization: if your family/church value voting.