- Through this practice govt officials both in congress and executive agencies quite their jobs to take on positions as lobbyists
- may give private interests unfair influence over govt
Reform of Interest Group System
1. IT is difficult to put limits on interest groups without limiting freedoms
2. PAC contributions are problamatic: A. Agreement is widespread that PAC donations give donors better access to members of Congress B. Congress has required disclosure of all campaign contributions so sources are idenified
3. 1995-congress passed law requiring lobbyists to register reports, disclosing clients
A. critics charge PAC'S reinforce if not expand the gap b/t rich and poor
B. PAC supporters counter that people should have right to join with others who think as they do
4. reformers have called for reducing rates of PAC's
Chapter 11
- 2 separate and powerful chambers: bicameral nature has orgins of neogotaiations (Great Compromise)
- Representation in House based on population
- reps. elected two year terms: alter census every ten years
- There is reproportionment- of house seats where number of reps assigned to seats are revised
- State legislatures redraw the congressional district boundaries for their state
1. State legislatures redraw boundaries to make it easier to get candidates elected: gerrymandering
2. Racial gerrymandering-after 1990 census Justice Dept. ordered N.C to redraw their proposed boundaries in order to allow for the election of one more black rep.
-->South Carolina Case: Shaw v. Reno- plantiffs charged the justice dept with reverse discrimination based on 14th amendment
--court ruled that allowed the district lines to be redrawn by Justice dept.
-more cases: Easley v. Cromartie: 2001, race could be factor in redistricting but not only deciding factor
-2 senators: 6 yrs terms
3. Powers defined in article I in constitution. 14 specific powers
No comments:
Post a Comment