Exam 11: Local Government: Structure and Leadership

Historically, the county board of commissioners has been the most popular form of county government; more than half of U.S. counties still use it, and its predominance is increasing.

The number of single purpose districts continues to grow, whereas the number of school districts steadily shrinks. Explain some of the challenges faced by school districts. What remedies are used to address these challenges?

Describe and evaluate the general functions of each of the five types of local government. Provide an example of each and contrast the functions across the types of government.

Local government reform was a _____ Era movement that sought to depose the corrupt and inefficient partisan political machines that controlled many American cities.

Counties are now more prominent than they were in the old days when they were considered the shadowy backwaters of local governments.

_____ is the creation of a municipality through the granting of a charter from the state.

The word municipality is interchangeable with the word

The tradition of direct democracy by holding town meetings exemplifies democracy in action with citizen participation at about 55 percent.

Special districts that overlay existing general-purpose local governments usually address three general categories of deficiencies. What are these three categories?

Explain why special districts are needed. What are some of the arguments in favor and against them?