PS 103A: California Politics Lecture 1 January 10, 2004.
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Transcript of PS 103A: California Politics Lecture 1 January 10, 2004.
Course Introduction The recall’s role in California politics
•Today’s version of Progressive institutions
•Campaigning in CA’s complex environment
•Effects on policy?
What this course is not about
What this course is about
Course plan and logistics
The Recall’s Role in California Politics
Today’s version of Progressive institutions
•1911 device with ambiguous criteria: corruption vs. dissatisfaction
•The old industry of paid signature gatherers
•How democratic is direct democracy?
The Recall’s Role in California Politics
Campaigning in California’s complex environment
•Wholesale vs. retail campaigning
•Media coverage in a megastate
•The politics of ethnicity
The Recall’s Role in California Politics
Effects on policy?
•Reaction against Gray Davis policies: electricity deregulation, car tax, and budget
•No mandate for political reforms, as the 2005 special election demonstrated
•Do Californians want to spend more or less? How about their Governor?
Schwarzenegger the Spender (January 5th State of the State Address)
$222 Billion in bonds over ten years
Schwarzenegger’s Rough Week
Dan Walters: Schwarzenegger's credibility at risk as he repositions his image
Angelides calls governor's idea 'lot of hype' State treasurer pans infrastructure plan, challenges numbers
Schwarzenegger's Budget Would Trigger Billions in New Spending
What This Course is Not About
How to be a good citizen.
•Preface. “We believe that increased participation by an informed citizenry in the politics of California is vitally needed…”
Power and Politics in California,
John H. Culver and John C. Syer, 1980
What This Course is Not About
An Introduction to American Politics
•Begins with the Constitution
•Under a fixed set of rules, leaders react to an ever more complex society
•Consensus on the basic features of our political system and what there is to learn
What This Course Is About What you need to know in Sacramento
Mixture of political science research and political journalism
A state where the rules constantly change and no consensus tells us what to teach you
Course Plan and Logistics Part I: Political Institutions in Flux Part II: The Politics of Diversity Part III: Perspectives on Policy
Theme A: Cycles in California Politics Theme B: What Makes CA Different? Theme C: How Do We Know What We
Know?
Course Plan and Logistics Midterm on February 14: 25% of grade
Paper due on March 9: 30% of grade•Campaign plan or policy analysis
Final on March 23: 40% of grade
“Section” attendance and participation: 5% of grade