POLS 207 Lecture 15

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No class Tuesday, guest speaker on Thursday

Court and the Government

Why run for governor:

  • progressive ambition: running for governor/senator/etc in order to move up.
  • More authority than the president
    • States' rights granted by constitution
    • governors are closer to people
All Policies create losers, esp. in states with multiple preferences

Appellate courts:

  • Not frequently used (< 2% of cases make it to appellate courts)
  • Take a ton of time and money

Fairness

ultimate fairness doesn't exist:

  1. tyranny of minority
  2. tyranny of majority

Courts just limit the tyranny

Focus on what T&L say about courts and pay attention to the numbers

Trial by Jury

Peers understand your perspective.

Fragmentation of Authority

Delegation of power to several departments

  • make life easier
  • laziness
  • focus more on more important things (like golf)