- StudyBlue
- Texas
- University of Texas - Austin
- Government
- Government 310l
- Mcdaniel
- first 3 class lectures
first 3 class lectures
Government 310l with Mcdaniel at University of Texas - Austin
About this deck
By: Taylor Goodwine
Created: 2012-03-30
Size: 27 flashcards
Views: 7
Created: 2012-03-30
Size: 27 flashcards
Views: 7
About StudyBlue
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Institutions
rules of the game in society; more formally, they are humanly devised constraints that shape human interaction.
In consequence, they structure incentives in human exchange (political, social, economic)
Agency
capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own free choices
Structure
recurrent patterned arrangements which limit and influence choices and opportunities
Formal institutions
written, generally accepted, "who has jurisdiction over what?"
Ex: branches of gov't, UT, police force, congress
Informal institutions
unwritten, not generally accepted, and difficult to enforce
Ex: interest groups, tailgates, political parties
Constraints of Institutions
Exclusionary, and difficult to change or overcome
Ways to overcome institutional constraints
(easy) work within it until you can change it
(tough) build cooperation, coordinate and network
Bicameral
Two chambers or houses
ex: US congress
House of Representatives
435 members
32--> 35 serving from Texas because of growth in population
Hierarchical structure
far more formal than senate
House of Reps (Leaders)
Speaker of the House: (Rep) John Boehner of Ohio
Majority Leader: Eric Cantor of Nevada
Minority Leader: Nancy Pelosi of California
Dem. party Whip: Stemy Hoyer of Maryland
Rep. party whip: Kevin McCarthy of California
The Senate
100 members
more informal that HOR
less energy placed into providing internal organization
Democratic Rule (112th senate)
Senate Leaders
Independent: Bernie Sanders of Vermont
Majority Leader: Harry Reid of NV
Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell of KY
Senators
Texas: Kay Bailey Hutcheson and John Cornyn (Rep)
Oklahoma: Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe (rep)
Tennessee: Lamar and Bob (rep
Filibuster
delaying tactic in which one or more senators refuses to allow a bill or resolution to be considered, either by speaking indefinitely or by offering dilatory motions and amendments
Longest filibuster
-August 1957 Strom Thurmond opposed civil rights bill and he spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes
-1964 southern senators opposed civil rights act, and they took turns speaking for 75 days
Criticisms of Congress
Lengthy and inefficient process
Congressional process slows advancement
Members of congress are too focused on districts rather than Nation as a whole
Fan Protection Act of 1995
Sets forth criteria:
Fan Loyalty
Public financial support
Adequacy of the stadium
Mark Twain- views of congress
"it could probably be shown with facts and figures that there is no distinctively native American criminal class except Congress"
Nipsey Russell- view of Congress
"The opposite of pro is con, that fact is clearly seen, if progress means move forward, what does Congress mean?"
Contradictions of Congress member
the better you do, the more you'll get elected
the more power you gain, the less attention you pay to your district
4-year term congressperson
"There is a natural tension between being a good representative and taking interest in government"
Texas Legislature
Bicameral: Senate- 31 members
House of Reps- 150 members
Size set by 1876 constitution
Length of Terms for Texas Legislature
representatives are elected 2-year terms
senators elected 4-year terms
-staggered state senate elections except in case of redistricting
HOR: 49 democrats and 101 republicans
Senate: 12 democrats and 19 republicans
Texas Legislature Characteristics
ONLY large urban state that uses biennial sessions power in the Texas Legislature
Lowest paid governor in Nation ($7200) (Cal-99,000 and New York- 79,500 and NH- 200)
Texas Senate
Lieutenant governor serves as senator president- David Dewhurst
president pro-temporer: Steve Ogden
president of US senate: Joe Biden
Texas House
President: Joe Strauss
speaker elected each Biennial
speaker elected each pro-team (Craig Eiland)
Redistricting
most purely political of all legislative activities- state legislatures are in charge of setting district lines for state and national elections- every 10 years brings about a debate
About this deck
By: Taylor Goodwine
Created: 2012-03-30
Size: 27 flashcards
Views: 7
Created: 2012-03-30
Size: 27 flashcards
Views: 7
About StudyBlue
STUDYBLUE makes things that make you better at school.
Things like online flashcards with photos and audio.
Things like personalized quizzes and friendly reminders about when (and what) to study next.
Think of it as a digital backpack™: access to all of your study materials online and on your phone.
STUDYBLUE exists to make studying efficient and effective for every student, for free. Join us.
“Simply amazing. The flash cards are smooth, there are many different types of studying tools, and there is a great search engine. I praise you on the awesomeness.”
Dennis
Dennis