Chapter 23 State and Local Government Section 1 Culture, Constitutions, and Reform

Political Cultures  Political culture represents shared values or beliefs about the political world.  There are three basic types of political cultures: Moralistic: Its primary function is to promote the common good. Government responsibilities increase. Tend to come from New England and be Democrat Came from the Puritans Individualistic: The individual is the priority. The role of government is limited. Believes the marketplace is the best way to distribute resources. Traditionalistic: Emphasis is placed on status with one group on top. The role of government is to maintain the existing power structure. Strongest in southern states.

© EMC Publishing, LLC The Effects of Political Cultures  Government participation is highest in states with moralistic cultures.  Moralistic politicians tend to be more honest.  Traditionalistic and individualistic governments rely less on merits when hiring employees.  Moralistic states spend more on welfare.

© EMC Publishing, LLC Political Cultures within the States

© EMC Publishing, LLC Your Turn Brainstorm bullet points describing the political culture in your state. Then choose from the following list the culture that best describes your state. a.Moralistic b.Moralistic/individualistic c.Individualistic/moralistic d.Individualistic e.Individualistic/traditionalistic f.Traditionalistic/individualistic g.Traditionalistic h.Traditionalistic/moralistic

Policy and Services in the States  Cooperative federalism is the current framework within which states work with the federal government. National government usually dominates  Each state offers services such as: Education Welfare Transportation Law enforcement Public health Regulation of utilities

© EMC Publishing, LLC State Constitutions  State constitutions provide a framework for state governments.  State constitutions are the supreme law of the state.  All 50 state constitutions call for legislative, executive, and judicial branches.  All are bicameral except Nebraska.  Super legislation is the process of inserting a group’s policy preferences into the state constitution. State constitutions are more likely to be changed (or amended)

The Evolution of State Political Structures  Initially, state governments had limited powers. Reformers argue that states need strong, able governors.  After political parties were established, the power of state governments grew.  Party growth resulted in fraud and corruption in state politics.  In the early 1900s, the Populist and Progressive movements responded to the corruption by focusing on the common good.  Additional reforms in the 1950s and 1960s focused even more on developing strong state governments.

Direct Democracy  In a direct democracy, the people themselves, not their representatives, have the power.  Main goal of a direct democracy is to bring government closer to the people’s control.  Direct democracies are emerging in states through: Initiatives, which allow citizens to drive the process of making constitutional amendments. Sometimes promotes bad laws through special interests Referendums, which allow citizens to approve or disapprove of legislation Recall elections, which allow citizens to vote an elected official out of office before the end of the term

© EMC Publishing, LLC Your Turn Which of the following political processes is NOT a tool of direct democracy in the United States today? a.Recall election b.Initiative c.Presidential election d.Referendum