GERSTON CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT REVIEW SHEET
Exams 1/2
Discuss the periods of the history of California and the role of immigration in its history. How does
immigration shape state’s politics today?
Compare and contrast the impact of the Workingmen’s Party, the Southern Pacific Railroad, and the
Progressives on California politics.
What are the differences between cities, counties, and special districts? What do they have in common?
How are they governed? Examine what they do and how they are funded. Give examples of each.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of district versus at-large city council elections. In your
opinion which is better?
Discuss the impact of Proposition 13 on the function and power of state and local governments.
Factors that brought about the recall of Gray Davis.
Differences between supporters of the Republican and Democratic parties and implications for the
future of these parties. (Refer to Table 1.3)
History of the party structure and power in California.
Direct democracy: Referendum, Initiative, Recall – what are they, how do they work, are they
effective, that is provide a critique of direct democracy devices in
California
Partisan and nonpartisan elections
Compare and contrast participation in voting by Anglos, Hispanic, African American, and Asians.
Compare and contrast the political power of newspapers and television in California politics. Has the
balance changed? How?
Discuss campaign techniques in California elections. Which techniques are the most effective and
important in California? Why
Does California have too many local governments? What are the advantages and disadvantages of
have so many?
Immigration is a policy area that affects both national and state governments. What are the major
problems and what has been done to solve them by each level?
California’s congressional delegation is notoriously fragmented. Why are they fragmented? Give some
examples? Discuss the problems this causes for California.
Discuss federal grants-in-aid to California
Discuss the issue of pollution, terrorism, and water as seen from the point of view of California.
Discuss the ways that the legislature has been transformed.
Explain the powers and responsibilities of the leadership of the Legislature and how it has
changed over time.
Provisions and impact of Proposition 140. Discuss the pros and cons of term limits.
Power and duties of legislative agencies.
Reapportionment and its impact on California politics.
How does the lawmaking process differ from that in Congress?
Impact of the plural executive system of fragmented authority.
Responsibility of each of the plural executives. What is the impact on state governance?
Sources of power for the governor and under what conditions his/her power increases or
decreases in scope.
Nature of California civil service
Compare the powers of the governor and legislature with respect to budget making. Who is more
powerful and why?
Identify and discuss the key participants in the budget making process. Of the two major
branches involved, which do you believe has the advantage over the other? Why?
Discuss the role of the voters in the budget making process. Why is it that the electorate is so
prominent in an activity usually reserved for elected officials and appointed experts?
Discuss key propositions and their provisions.
Compare the state's major sources of revenues and expenditures. What fundamental changes have
occurred over the past few years? Given what you now know about California, what new patterns
may emerge in the future?
Describe the various components of the "judicial ladder.” How these components connected and
what are are their responsibilities?
What mechanisms exist for removing judges who fail to perform up to public expectations? Do
these procedures make the judicial system more or less political?
Should judges be elected or approved by the voters? Does this make them too political? Would
judges appointed for life terms, like the members of the U.S. Supreme Court be better? How?
Should judges have the power to rule decisions by a majority of the voters on initiatives invalid?