Problems in American Democracy Part 90

1. Discuss the structure of the state legislature.

2. In what ways does the senate usually differ from the lower house?

3. What is the basis of representation in the state legislature?

4. How are the qualifications of state representatives determined?

5. Compare the term of senator with that of state representative.

6. Outline the organization of the legislature.

7. Compare the organization of the state legislature with that of the national legislature.

8. What is the scope of power enjoyed by the state legislature?

9. What limitations are placed upon state legislatures?

10. Describe the making of a state law.

11. Discuss the veto power of the Governor.

12. What are some defects of state legislation?

13. Outline some attempts to eliminate these defects.

REQUIRED READINGS

1. Beard, _American Government and Politics_, chapter xxv.

2. Guitteau, _Government and Politics in the United States_, chapter ix.

3. Munro, _The Government of the United States_, chapter xxix.

4. Reed, _Form and Functions of the United States Government_, chapter xi.

QUESTIONS ON THE REQUIRED READINGS

1. Under what four heads may the limitations on state legislatures be grouped? (Guitteau, page 101.)

2. What limitations are imposed upon state legislatures by the republican nature of state government? (Guitteau, page 102.)

3. In what states are annual legislative sessions held? (Guitteau, page 96.)

4. Why has the legislative session been shortened in some states?

(Reed, pages 123-124.)

5. Under what three heads may state legislative power be cla.s.sified?

(Guitteau, page 100.)

6. What is the most important of the powers of the state legislature?

(Reed, page 128.)

7. What are the non-legislative duties of the state legislature?

(Guitteau, pages 100-101.)

8. What can be said as to the personnel of the state legislature?

(Reed, page 126.)

9. What is a "rotten borough"? (Beard, page 521.)

10. Why are state laws frequently of inferior quality? (Munro, page 428.)

TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION AND REPORT

I

1. A comparison of the upper with the lower house of your state legislature.

2. Gerrymandering in your state.

3. Occupations and professions represented in the members.h.i.+p of your state legislature.

4. The character of legislation recently enacted by your state legislature.

II

5. Development of the law-making department. (Gettell, _Readings in Political Science_, pages 341-342.)

6. General principles of legislative organization. (Gettell, _Readings in Political Science_, page 343.)

7. Advantages of the bicameral system. (Gettell, _Readings in Political Science_, page 344.)

8. The function of the legislature. (Gettell, _Readings in Political Science_, page 357.)

9. The lobby. (Reinsch, _Readings on American State Government_, pages 79-84.)

10. Financial procedure in state legislatures. (Reinsch, _Readings on American State Government_, pages 56-61.)

11. The actual work of making a law. (Reed, _Form and Functions of American Government_, chapter xii.)

12. Legislative apportionments. (Reinsch, _American Legislatures and Legislative Methods_, chapter vii.)

13. Obstacles to intelligent law-making. (Gettell, _Readings in Political Science_, pages 358-359.)

14. Danger of over-legislation in the United States. (Gettell, _Readings in Political Science_, page 361.)