POLI 425 - City Government - Week 1 Intro

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a directly observable indicator of candidate quality?

  • Past experience
  • Level of education
  • Knowledge of policy issues
  • Voter turnout (correct)

What is a measurement model?

  • A statistical technique for predicting future events
  • A method for directly observing latent variables
  • A way to measure the strength of a correlation between two variables
  • A framework for constructing latent variables using observable indicators (correct)

Which of the following could be a measurable yes/no indicator variable for the latent construct of 'democracy'?

  • Does the country have a constitution?
  • Does the country have a multi-party system?
  • Does the country have a free press?
  • All of the above (correct)

Why is 'city-ness' considered a latent construct?

<p>The characteristics that define a city are not directly observable. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is LEAST likely to be considered a direct indicator of 'urban-ness' in Canada?

<p>Average income level (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one goal of this course?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one key factor to consider when attempting to predict who voted for the UCP in the 2023 Alberta election?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors would likely be most relevant in predicting voter behavior in a mayoral election?

<p>Political party affiliation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the best way to contact the instructor?

<p>By email. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many unit tests are given in this course?

<p>Three. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When will students be discussing "descriptive representation" in this course?

<p>During the second unit test. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What reading material is required for this course?

<p>The course requires online readings. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the third unit test worth more than the others?

<p>It is a cumulative test covering all course material. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following municipalities would be considered a 'city' based on the working model presented in the text?

<p>Calgary (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics is NOT a key component of the 'city' model presented in the text?

<p>High median income (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, which of the following factors would be most useful in determining if a municipality fits the definition of a 'city'?

<p>Proportion of residents who are immigrants (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key difference between 'government' and 'governance'?

<p>Government refers to the institutions with decision-making power, while governance refers to the individuals or groups who exercise that power. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the best example of a 'city' based on the working model presented in the text?

<p>Toronto (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on the provided information, which of these factors is LEAST relevant to defining a 'city'?

<p>Proportion of municipal residents who are not homeowners (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements BEST summarizes the concept of 'governance' as presented in the text?

<p>The processes by which decisions are made and implemented within a society. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a municipality has high population density but a relatively small population size, would it still be considered a 'city' according to the content?

<p>No, because cities require both high density and large size to qualify. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of multilevel governance, as defined in the text?

<p>Produces policy outputs that are determined solely by the municipal government. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following research topics would be MOST relevant to a study focusing on multilevel governance?

<p>Analyzing the impact of provincial legislation on local housing policies in Calgary. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following research questions would be MOST relevant to a study focused on the municipal government in Calgary?

<p>How do different departments within Calgary's municipal government interact on policy issues? (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided content, what is the primary difference between "government" and "governance"?

<p>Government refers to elected officials, while governance encompasses all actors involved in policymaking. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following research topics would be MOST relevant to a study on the concept of "city" as a latent variable?

<p>Comparing the political cultures of different Canadian cities. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples BEST illustrates the concept of multilevel governance in action?

<p>The provincial government provides funding to municipalities for infrastructure projects. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements is NOT considered a key component of the working model of a "city" as presented in the text?

<p>A system of economic production and consumption within the city. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following explains why geographic size matters when determining if a place is "urban"?

<p>Urban areas tend to have higher population densities compared to rural areas. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Latent Variable

An unobservable construct inferred from observable indicators.

Observable Indicators

Measurable factors that suggest the presence of a latent variable.

Candidate Quality

A latent variable assessing aspects like experience and knowledge.

Measurement Model

A framework for defining how to measure latent variables.

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Urban Characteristics

Factors that help define whether a place is considered urban.

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UCP vs NDP

The UCP and NDP are political parties in Alberta, Canada, representing different political ideologies.

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Voting Behavior

The study of how individuals decide to vote, influenced by personal characteristics and social factors.

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Predictive Factors

Characteristics of individuals that can indicate their voting preferences, such as demographics, beliefs, or values.

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Mayoral Election Considerations

The unique aspects and factors relevant to predicting outcomes in local elections as opposed to provincial or federal ones.

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Descriptive Representation

A concept in political science where elected officials represent their constituents' demographic characteristics.

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Course Goals

Objectives outlined for the course, including understanding structures of municipal government and engaging in advanced discussions.

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Succeeding in Course

Tips and strategies for performing well in the course, such as attending classes and engaging with materials.

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Office Hours Importance

Scheduled times where students can meet instructors to ask questions and seek clarification on course materials.

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Municipal population size

The total number of people living in a municipality.

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Municipal population density

The number of residents living per unit area in a municipality.

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Median age of residents

The middle age of all residents in the municipality.

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Public transit commuting

Percentage of residents using public transport to get to work.

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Homeownership rate

Proportion of residents who own their homes in a municipality.

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Diversity in cities

The variety of personal backgrounds and lifestyles in urban areas.

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Governance vs. Government

Government refers to institutions making decisions; governance encompasses how those decisions are made and implemented.

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Characteristics of cities

Cities are defined by high population size, density, and diversity.

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Multilevel Governance

A mode of policy making involving multiple government levels and social forces.

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Municipal Government

The local government responsible for city-level governance and services.

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Policy Outputs

The resulting decisions and actions produced by government interactions.

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Governance

The processes and interactions through which governments operate and make decisions.

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Complex Policy Domains

Areas of policy that involve intricate interactions and multiple stakeholders.

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Political Representation

How elected officials represent the interests of constituents within government.

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Elections at Municipal Level

The process through which citizens vote for local representatives in government.

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Actors in Policy Oversight

Various individuals and groups involved in shaping and implementing policies.

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Study Notes

POLI 425 - City Government - Week 1 - Introduction

  • Thought Experiment: On May 29, 2023, Danielle Smith's UCP defeated Rachel Notley's NDP in Alberta. A political consultant was hired to apply the lessons of the UCP victory to Calgary's 2025 mayoral election, analyzing factors influencing UCP and NDP voter preferences.
  • Predictive Factors: Factors predicting voter choices (e.g., demographics, ideology) are key in mayoral elections.
  • Calgary Poll: Funds are available to conduct a poll to identify support for Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. Specific questions for the poll were not provided.
  • Course Overview: The course instructors are Jack Lucas and Elliot Dillabough. The course aims to describe Canadian municipal government structures and institutions, focusing on electoral systems, voting behaviors, and political representation. The course will cover cutting-edge data and research in local urban politics and prepare students for advanced academic conferences. Students should also prepare to discuss their interests and how the class could help them advance their goals.
  • Course Information: The course prerequisites are Political Science 321 or consent of the department. The lecture location is HNSC 128, with Tuesdays from 5:00 PM to 7:45 PM. Office hours are Tuesday from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. The instructor is Jack Lucas, whose contact information is 403-702-5906 and [email protected]

Course Schedule

  • Week 1, (January 14th-January 21st): Introduction to municipal government and policy, overview of Canadian municipal government. No required readings are specified.
  • Week 2 (January 21st-28th): Municipal Government Institutions; required readings include Sancton (2015), Horak, Kurs, and Taylor (2024).
  • Week 3 (January 28th - Feb 4th): Municipal Policy and Policy-making; required readings include Jack Lucas and Alison Smith (2019.)
  • Week 4 (Feb 4th - Feb 11th): Electoral Districts; required readings include Koop and Kraemer (2016). Review of Week 2 Sancton chapter.
  • Week 5 (Feb 11th - Feb 18th): Ballots, Voting Systems, Campaign Finance. Required readings include Anderson and Stephenson (2021), and Taylor and Vanhooren (2021).
  • Unit 3 (Feb 25th – March 4th): Municipal Elections: Participation and Voting Behaviour
  • Unit 3 (March 4th - March 11th): Who votes in municipal elections
  • March 11th - 18th: Vote choice in municipal elections.
  • March 18th - March 25th: Incumbency and accountability; Unit test two, including a book review quiz on Ideology in Canadian Municipal Politics.
  • March 25th - April 1st: Political representation at municipal level.
  • April 1st - April 8th Descriptive representation, service responsiveness, policy representation.

Course Components and Weights

  • Research Assignment: 15%
  • Unit Test 1: 15% (February 4th)
  • Unit Test 2: 15% (March 4th)
  • Unit Test 3: 30% (March 25th - incorporates book review quiz on Ideology in Canadian Municipal Politics.)
  • Final Exam: 25% (March 25th)
  • Students should contact the instructor immediately if they miss a required component.

Course Information - How to Succeed!

  • Attend class (important).
  • Schedule coursework. Develop a routine.
  • Engage with readings.
  • Use review questions to prepare for unit tests.
  • Visit the instructor during office hours to address any confusions.

Course Information - Quiz

  • Instructor contact method.
  • Number and dates of unit tests.
  • Reason for the higher value of Unit 3 test (includes book review).
  • Textbooks required for the course.
  • If there is an essay in the course.
  • Dates for the final exam, if there is one.
  • Timeframe of discussion of "descriptive representation".
  • How to know what readings to do in a given week.
  • Where to find course readings.

Other Topics

  • What's a city?: Introduction to the concept of a city, discussion about characteristics of cities.

  • Latent Variables in Political Science: Concept description and examples. How to measure latent variables..

    • In social science, some things are measured directly (observable)(e.g., votes cast, turnout rates).
    • Other characteristics might not be observable. These are known as latent variables or constructs. Latent variables might include: democracy, candidate quality, citizen efficacy.

  • A Latent Measure of "City-ness" in Canada: Methods for measuring characteristics associated with cities, considering variables for measuring "urban-ness" in Canada.

  • Our Working Model of "City": Elements for defining cities: size, density, diversity. A table summarizing "city" characteristics (Calgary, Toronto).

  • Government vs. Governance: Distinction between government (formal institutions) and governance (interactions among multiple actors).

  • Multilevel Governance: How policymaking in cities involves interactions among multiple levels of government (municipal, provincial, federal).

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