What are the major functions of elections in a democratic society? List and discuss each fully.
What will be an ideal response?
Elections help to select leaders, though elections really only provide a choice for the best candidate on the ballot, given that many qualified possible candidates may choose not to run because of the strain of such campaigns. Elections also provide indirect policy direction. Indeed, the consistency between preferences of citizens voiced in election outcomes and actual policy is rather strong. Another function of elections is citizen development because citizens typically feel as though they are part of the system and, consequently, have greater political efficacy. The intensity of campaigns also helps to inform the public about key issues and may help to educate them about government generally. Finally, elections aid the political system more generally by containing conflict in society--getting people to voice discontent as a safety valve or to actively change government--and by providing legitimacy by recognizing rightful winners and providing them the right to govern.
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What is contained in the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?
a. A state can deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, as long as its own laws have clear instructions for doing so. b. No state can deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without first being given a court order to do so. c. A state can deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process, if it has just cause. d. No state can deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.
If a bill is vetoed by the president but is then subsequently passed by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress, the veto is said to be
A) overridden. B) sustained. C) pocket vetoed. D) impounded. E) delegated.
Which of the following is the most important source of tax revenues for city governments in Texas?
a) sales tax b) income tax c) excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco d) property tax e) lottery proceeds
What is one practical use by the federal government for the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?
a. A decrease in CPI means that the government must cut salaries. b. It helps determines the cost-of-living increases in social security benefits. c. It helps determines whether to raise taxes. d. It determines whether the government is paying too much for services. e. An increase in CPI triggers an increase in the regulation of the largest private companies.