What’s the spatial organization of FEDERAL states?
- Power is diffused to state and local governments on multiple levels.
- Often multinational and geographically large.
- Federal government –> substate –> county –> city/local
What’s the spatial organization of UNITARY states?
- Limited diffusion of power
- Generally more geographically compact (smaller) with less cultural differences and minority groups.
List the POSITIVES of FEDERAL states.
- Reduced conflict due to different legislation
- Local issues are resolved quickly
List the NEGATIVES of FEDERAL states.
- Slow to enact change on a national level (changes that will affect the entire country)
- Conflict between national, local, and state governments can still occur, stalling progress and causing confusion
List the POSITIVES of UNITARY states.
- Law creation and implementation is efficient.
- Sense of unity across a state
- Change occurs quickly
List the NEGATIVES of UNITARY states.
- More vulnerable to corruption and authoritarianism
- Central government may respond to local issues more slowly or be out of touch with them
What are some examples of FEDERAL states?
The U.S., Canada, India, Germany, Russia
What are some examples of UNITARY states?
France, Japan, China, the UK
What is the Census (U.S.)?
A sort of population check done every ten years to determine federal/state funding, service provision, the maintenance/building of infrastructure, and how Representatives’ seats will be reapportioned
How many Congressional districts are there in the U.S.?
435.
Define reapportionment.
The process in which U.S. House of Representative seats are re-allocated to different states, based on population change (Census).
What is the Electoral College?
An organization that utilizes the popular vote to then vote for President.
How many seats are in the Electoral College?
538.
1. 435 Representatives
2. 100 Senators
3. 3 representing D.C.
What are the requirements for voting districts in America?
- Similar population size
- Contiguous (a single, unbroken shape)
- Compact (smooth boundaries and clustered around a central core)
What are the two types of gerrymandering?
Packing and cracking.
What’s the difference between packing and cracking?
- Packing: Clustering like-minded voters in a single district
- Cracking: Dispersing like-minded voters across multiple districts
List the outcomes of gerrymandering.
- Partisan power
- Lack of cohesion
- Advantage to candidates
- Lower voter participation
