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The States

The States. Section 1 Chapter 20. Focus Questions. What was the basis of state governments’ authority? In What ways do state governments answer to the people? How do state governments promote the public good?. The fifty states are as diverse as any fifty individuals

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The States

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  1. The States Section 1 Chapter 20

  2. Focus Questions • What was the basis of state governments’ authority? • In What ways do state governments answer to the people? • How do state governments promote the public good?

  3. The fifty states are as diverse as any fifty individuals • Receive their authority to govern from the Constitution • More able to answer questions more directly affecting the people

  4. State Constitutions • Each state has its own Constitution • They reflect the times in which they were written • Colonial state constitutions reflect John Locke’s

  5. State Constitutions • Many Southern states were forced to rewrite their • Western states left more elements of citizen control • These are called initiatives, referendums and recalls

  6. State Constitutions Constitutional Provisions • The 50 states have adopted more than 140 constitutions • 1982– Georgia • The Constitutions have been amended 5,900 times • State constitutions are four times longer--Alabama having the longest (687 pages) • State Constitutions are filled with much more detail

  7. State Government and the People • They answer to the people more then the federal government • Done through through initiatives, referendums, and recalls

  8. State Government and the People Initiatives Initiative A minimum number of signatures is needed for it to go on the ballot Direct and indirect Direct initiatives go to the people Indirect initiatives go to the people if the legislature fails to pass the bill

  9. State Government and the People Referendum • Referendum • Amendments (except Alabama) • Controversial issues • Citizens want to overturn a law

  10. State Government and the People Recall Recall Citizens must sign a recall petition Recalls are rare

  11. State Governments and the Public Good • State governments are large, unresponsive bureaucracies and they do not address citizens’ concerns • State governments have increased the quality and lowered the cost of some public services • Education • Tracking systems

  12. Focus Questions • What was the basis of state governments’ authority? • In What ways do state governments answer to the people? • How do state governments promote the public good?

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