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Local government in the US - 4/17/2007 10:15:02 AM

LadyEllen

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This is something I've wanted to ask for a while, so here goes.

In the UK, we elect our local government and those elected then go off and run things without further reference to us, for a period of a few years. To me, this system is not a great deal of good since we end up with one party in control, ignoring what is often the majority who didnt vote for them or their policies. What does get done, seems to get done for those in areas who vote for the ruling party whilst others problems are ignored. And generally speaking, the ruling party would still be elected to a majority and run the place, even if its policies were genocidal, because of unthinking voters who choose based on family tradition or some other grounds unrelated to the issues and policies.

In the US, from what I pick up from TV shows at least (!), things operate a bit differently in that you have more regular voting by way of referenda on issues and policies regarding them. Is this correct please? Do you also elect local government representatives? If so, what do they do, assuming things get decided on local ballots in the way I understand, rather than being decided by your elected representatives alone?

I'm asking this because the sort of system I understand to be in place in the US seems much better to me than the system we have here - and everyone must by now know that I'm hellbent on running the UK one day. Does it work for you though? How would you rate it in terms of getting things done? Any other comments about it are also welcome.

Thanks
E

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RE: Local government in the US - 4/17/2007 10:33:32 AM

juliaoceania

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This depends on what level of government you are talking about... the process varies from state to state, county to county, and city to city. No one can answer you conclusively unless they specialized in this level of government for all 50 states, and all counties and cities. For example, LA county/city is a morass of little subsets of conglomerated cities that were absorbed by Los Angeles. It is probably a book in and of itself on local/state/and county law

I probably did not answer you in a way that satisfied you, but there it is.

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RE: Local government in the US - 4/17/2007 11:43:27 AM

FirmhandKY

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Lady E,

Julia is correct.

It's a real hodgepodge. Each state and locality is different, although in general, below national level you have state government, then county governments, then city governments, thats a very simple summary.

Some places allow citizen referendums. Some don't. Some states have different representative schemes based on the size or definition of a city. Some large cities are metropolitian, where cities and counties have merged into a single governmental entity ("metro"). Others say they are "metro" but maintain separate legal governments.

Most states are roughly based on our Federal system, but at least one state only has a single legislative body, rather than being bicameral.

I think one of the biggest differences between American local politics and other democracies is the strength of non-governmental associations. It's a fact that de Tocqueville noted over a hundred years ago, and leads to the involvement in local politics to an extent that is missing in many European nations.

FirmKY

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RE: Local government in the US - 4/17/2007 12:00:00 PM

juliaoceania

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We debated whether or not we should change to a unitary system of government (see French system) in my poli sci 101 class. I had this immediate knee jerk reaction against such an abomination, but could not come up with very good arguments against something that would be more efficient, less confusing, and probably half as expensive as we have here... but I still do not want a unitary government... it just seems wrong

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RE: Local government in the US - 4/17/2007 1:20:00 PM

popeye1250

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And in New Hampshire we had a system called "Town Meeting" where the voters who show up get to vote on things.

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RE: Local government in the US - 4/17/2007 1:40:33 PM

farglebargle

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OUR City Charter predates the State Charter by a hundred years or so...

It's caused some interesting side effects, only in the past year or so have State Police been unofficially permitted to operate within City Limits.

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RE: Local government in the US - 4/17/2007 3:53:16 PM

losttreasure

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While FirmhandKY and Julia are very correct in that each entity operates under their own rules, the essence of what you are asking about is propositions or initiatives.

Wikipedia has a brief but informative article covering ballot initiatives.

In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizen's initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance, or, in its minimal form, to simply oblige the executive or legislative bodies to consider the subject by submitting it to the order of the day.

I've also included in this sentence a link that explains, step-by-step, how the process works in Colorado for issues at a state level. My guess is that a good portion of municipals, counties and states operate under very similar rules.

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RE: Local government in the US - 4/17/2007 4:13:32 PM

pahunkboy

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Lady E, this is one reason i was adamant about staying IN Pennsylvania.

California has maybe 30 ballot intiatives, PA limits such to 3- the logic is- that is why we are employing congress.

each state- has it own set of laws. the counties and cities answere to the state- in theory the states are united. PA tried to ban garbage from NJ- well- the feds rules that is interstate commerce.-thus- it is not allowed.

the USA is a vast- country- over 3000 miles wide- maybe 1500 miles north to south.

there is somewhat of a rift- between southerners and "yankees" - at least in North coralina.

much of the premise here is local control. buring trash in a garbage can is a good example. in much of PA- this is legal- unless a drought is in effect- yet- my town, had a ban for years- as homes are close togather. more towns are banning burning. so my aunt who lives in teh country- fileds- flowers- cows- clean air? nope- not when the neighbors burn.

some parts of teh US have very little police protection. in my location- the law is heavyhanded.

one nice thing- is- if you hate your life- one can move many states away- and per haps find happiness.
being a young country we dont yet- have the frictions some regions have......

overall- in recent yrs we seen a decline in teh saftey net.

also- we have neglected our elctrical grid- and our highway capacity.

it is becoming moreso like EU- in that- if your family is middle class- you are. [or can beneift]

chicago- if someone says you cant do that- the reply is "watch me". when i moved to pennsylvania- i called it cantssylvana- cos there is so many things i cant do,

the urban ceenters are ok here- but IMO teh small towns have tons of hidden treasures- both in ppl and culture.

hugs

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