CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY, 16TH ED.
Mona Field
Glendale Community College
CHAPTER 1. CALIFORNIA POLITICS IN PERSPECTIVE
Chapter Summary
Chapter 1 gives a current overview of California’s unique yet complex role as a state within
the United States. California is unique in its diverse population, political party registration, and
powerhouse economy, all of which have a tremendous impact nationally and internationally.
explaining the state’s status as number one in population relative to the other forty-nine states,
the chapter explores California’s political standing in the nation.
In addition, it explains the role of the federal government in relation to the states and
introduces the terms federalism and unitary powers. Concepts such as ballot initiative,
globalization, liberal, and conservative are introduced.
Discussion Questions
1. Discuss the relationship between the federal and state governments. Which tasks are
allocated to the states? What impact does federalism have on California?
2. Discuss population growth in California, including the history and the range of attitudes
about population growth. Include in your discussion the “Debating the Issues” box on
page 6. Express your personal views and substantiate them with evidence.
3. Explain how population, economic events, and federal policies have impacted
Californians.
4. Discuss the ways in which the federal government’s actions have impacted California’s
economy through the decades.
5. In looking at the "Compared to California" box on page 3, why is there a difference in
the minimum wage among the states? Why is there a difference in the cost of living
among the states?
,Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. California is number one in the nation in
a. social equity.
b. electoral votes.
c. members in the House of Representatives.
d. Both B and C are correct.
Answer: D; Page Reference:2-3; Bloom’s Category: Understanding
2. How does California rank in population size when compared to the rest of the United
States?
a. Tenth largest based on population
b. Third largest based on population
c. First based on population
d. Last based on population
Answer: C; Page Reference:2 ; Bloom’s Category: Understanding
3. The definition of federalism is
a. total control of the states by the federal government.
b. allows state laws to override federal laws.
c. a political system in which power is distributed to the national and state
governments thereby creating a system of dual authority.
d. allows California to become its own nation, via "Calexit".
Answer: C; Page Reference:4 ; Bloom’s Category: Understanding
4. The term unitary refers to
a. a distribution of powers within a state.
b. local authority for cities, counties, and other local governmental units derived from the
state government.
c. a concept that is not allowed by the U.S. Constitution.
d. Both A and B are correct.
Answer: D; Page Reference:5; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application
, 5. The state determines the grounds for
a. divorce.
b. defense spending.
c. immigration law.
d. interstate commerce.
Answer: A; Page Reference:5; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application
True or False
1. Each Californian lives in several election jurisdictions, including a congressional
district, a state Senate district, an assembly district, a county supervisorial district,
plus a city and a school and/or community college district.
Answer: True; Page Reference:6; Bloom’s Category: Understanding
2. California has a Republican majority in its state legislature.
Answer: False; Page Reference:1; Bloom’s Category: Understanding
3. California has the largest congressional delegation in the United States.
Answer: True; Page Reference: 2-3; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application
4. California has often served as a model for new political ideas that then spread to other
states.
Answer: True; Page Reference: 5; Bloom’s Category: Application
5. The U.S. Constitution requires each state to honor the laws of other states.
Answer: True; Page Reference: 5; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application
, CHAPTER 2. THE CALIFORNIANS: LAND, PEOPLE, AND POLITICAL CULTURE
Chapter Summary
Chapter 2 presents California’s size, location, and geographic diversity as well as gives an
overview of the state’s ethnic, political, and cultural diversity. Conflicts among agriculture,
environmentalists, urban interests, and the oil industry are discussed, as well as the rich
resources of the state. California’s ethnic and cultural diversity is described, and the concepts of
assimilation versus diversity are debated.
The state’s political culture is described in terms of economic impacts of the current
recession, and the term monocultural electorate is introduced. The role of government according
to both liberal and conservative viewpoints is explained.
Discussion Questions
1. Discuss the importance of California’s location and geography in the state’s history and
development.
2. Give an overview of ethnic diversity in California and explain the social, economic, and
political impacts diversity has on California.
3. Discuss the cultural and political attitudes in California and share your views on the
issues of today. Discuss the impact of the recent economic challenges California faces.
4. Debate the issue of assimilation versus diversity, using the box on page 13 as a
reference. Based on your understanding of the entire chapter, what are the advantages
and disadvantages of assimilation and diversity?
5. Compare the themes of conservatism and liberalism as they play out in California
politics.
Mona Field
Glendale Community College
CHAPTER 1. CALIFORNIA POLITICS IN PERSPECTIVE
Chapter Summary
Chapter 1 gives a current overview of California’s unique yet complex role as a state within
the United States. California is unique in its diverse population, political party registration, and
powerhouse economy, all of which have a tremendous impact nationally and internationally.
explaining the state’s status as number one in population relative to the other forty-nine states,
the chapter explores California’s political standing in the nation.
In addition, it explains the role of the federal government in relation to the states and
introduces the terms federalism and unitary powers. Concepts such as ballot initiative,
globalization, liberal, and conservative are introduced.
Discussion Questions
1. Discuss the relationship between the federal and state governments. Which tasks are
allocated to the states? What impact does federalism have on California?
2. Discuss population growth in California, including the history and the range of attitudes
about population growth. Include in your discussion the “Debating the Issues” box on
page 6. Express your personal views and substantiate them with evidence.
3. Explain how population, economic events, and federal policies have impacted
Californians.
4. Discuss the ways in which the federal government’s actions have impacted California’s
economy through the decades.
5. In looking at the "Compared to California" box on page 3, why is there a difference in
the minimum wage among the states? Why is there a difference in the cost of living
among the states?
,Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. California is number one in the nation in
a. social equity.
b. electoral votes.
c. members in the House of Representatives.
d. Both B and C are correct.
Answer: D; Page Reference:2-3; Bloom’s Category: Understanding
2. How does California rank in population size when compared to the rest of the United
States?
a. Tenth largest based on population
b. Third largest based on population
c. First based on population
d. Last based on population
Answer: C; Page Reference:2 ; Bloom’s Category: Understanding
3. The definition of federalism is
a. total control of the states by the federal government.
b. allows state laws to override federal laws.
c. a political system in which power is distributed to the national and state
governments thereby creating a system of dual authority.
d. allows California to become its own nation, via "Calexit".
Answer: C; Page Reference:4 ; Bloom’s Category: Understanding
4. The term unitary refers to
a. a distribution of powers within a state.
b. local authority for cities, counties, and other local governmental units derived from the
state government.
c. a concept that is not allowed by the U.S. Constitution.
d. Both A and B are correct.
Answer: D; Page Reference:5; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application
, 5. The state determines the grounds for
a. divorce.
b. defense spending.
c. immigration law.
d. interstate commerce.
Answer: A; Page Reference:5; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application
True or False
1. Each Californian lives in several election jurisdictions, including a congressional
district, a state Senate district, an assembly district, a county supervisorial district,
plus a city and a school and/or community college district.
Answer: True; Page Reference:6; Bloom’s Category: Understanding
2. California has a Republican majority in its state legislature.
Answer: False; Page Reference:1; Bloom’s Category: Understanding
3. California has the largest congressional delegation in the United States.
Answer: True; Page Reference: 2-3; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application
4. California has often served as a model for new political ideas that then spread to other
states.
Answer: True; Page Reference: 5; Bloom’s Category: Application
5. The U.S. Constitution requires each state to honor the laws of other states.
Answer: True; Page Reference: 5; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application
, CHAPTER 2. THE CALIFORNIANS: LAND, PEOPLE, AND POLITICAL CULTURE
Chapter Summary
Chapter 2 presents California’s size, location, and geographic diversity as well as gives an
overview of the state’s ethnic, political, and cultural diversity. Conflicts among agriculture,
environmentalists, urban interests, and the oil industry are discussed, as well as the rich
resources of the state. California’s ethnic and cultural diversity is described, and the concepts of
assimilation versus diversity are debated.
The state’s political culture is described in terms of economic impacts of the current
recession, and the term monocultural electorate is introduced. The role of government according
to both liberal and conservative viewpoints is explained.
Discussion Questions
1. Discuss the importance of California’s location and geography in the state’s history and
development.
2. Give an overview of ethnic diversity in California and explain the social, economic, and
political impacts diversity has on California.
3. Discuss the cultural and political attitudes in California and share your views on the
issues of today. Discuss the impact of the recent economic challenges California faces.
4. Debate the issue of assimilation versus diversity, using the box on page 13 as a
reference. Based on your understanding of the entire chapter, what are the advantages
and disadvantages of assimilation and diversity?
5. Compare the themes of conservatism and liberalism as they play out in California
politics.
