Federalism and The States, Pt. IV

Down But Not Out: The Struggle Endures

Lecture by Larry Sabato
11 min

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Summary:
While current federal-state tensions – focusing, as always, on money and power – demonstrate that states clearly have the weaker hand, for reasons both legal and cultural the states, as an institution, will endure.

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Larry Sabato is the founder and direction of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, a professor of politics, and a nationally renowned elections scholar.

 

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Federalism and The States, Pt. III

The Times, They are A-changin’: State Governments in the 1960s

Lecture by Larry Sabato
13 min

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Summary:
In addition to mistakes that the federal government made, the country underwent some drastic changes in the 1960s that altered the composition of the electorate and the rules governing representation. Combined with the federal government’s paralysis from an enormous and ever growing budget deficit, this firmly planted the states in a more capable position to provide the citizens with what they needed.

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Larry Sabato is the founder and direction of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, a professor of politics, and a nationally renowned elections scholar.

 

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Federalism and The States, Pt. II

The Capitols Capitalize: The Federal’s Loss is the States’ Gain

Lecture by Larry Sabato
21 min

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Summary:
Beginning in the 1960s, the balance of power between the states and the federal government started to shift toward the states. This reversal is due, in part, to the states’ abilities to capitalize on a number of mistakes the federal government made that caused people to lose faith in its ability to understand and act upon domestic concerns.

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Larry Sabato is the founder and direction of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, a professor of politics, and a nationally renowned elections scholar.

 

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Federalism and The States, Pt. I

Now Batting for Federalism: The Supremacy Clause

Lecture by Larry Sabato
15 min

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Summary:
Since the country’s founding, there have always been power struggles between the states and the federal government. The Civil War’s devastation of half the states and the federal government’s usurping of state powers in the New Deal are low points for state power, but other times in history see the balance of power shifting the other way. This long game of tug-of-war ensures that no one group will dominate.

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Larry Sabato is the founder and direction of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, a professor of politics, and a nationally renowned elections scholar.

 

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The Supreme Court, Pt. III

The Rules of Courtship: Myths and Misconceptions

Lecture by Larry Sabato
16 min

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Summary:
This perhaps least understood branch of government is both naively revered as insulated from politics and above public opinion, yet also maligned for having unchecked power and being too interventionist. While these characteristics are true to a degree, in reality the court is neither apolitical nor all-powerful, but operates effectively and within the bounds of its Constitutional role.

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Larry Sabato is the founder and direction of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, a professor of politics, and a nationally renowned elections scholar.

 

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The Supreme Court, Pt. II

“No More Souters:” Every Seat Matters

Lecture by Larry Sabato
14 min

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Summary:
With no term limits for Supreme Court Justices, some presidents end up putting many justices on the court, while others are never afforded an opportunity. As evidenced by so many confirmation battles, ideological shifts, and 5-4 decisions, every seat is important.

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Larry Sabato is the founder and direction of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, a professor of politics, and a nationally renowned elections scholar.

 

Click here to email Professor Sabato.

 

The Supreme Court, Pt. I

Better Know a Supreme Court Justice

Lecture by Larry Sabato
20 min

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Summary:
Nine individuals who are appointed, not elected, to life-time positions comprise the highest judicial body in the United States and head the third branch of the federal government. Appointed by the president and confirmed by Congress, the Supreme Court Justices are responsible for many landmark decisions that help shape the course of the country.

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Larry Sabato is the founder and direction of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, a professor of politics, and a nationally renowned elections scholar.

 

Click here to email Professor Sabato.

 

America’s Elected Officials, Pt. III

Constituent Views: Strict Directives or Suggested Guidelines?

Lecture by Larry Sabato
16 min

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Summary:
Members of congress face pressure from many different sources – including their constituents, political party, the president, interest groups, and their own ideological views – on how to vote on the issues placed before them. In deciding how to vote, members must determine if they will act as a delegate – basing their decisions on what their supporters want now – or as a trustee – making what they feel to be the best decisions for the future of their constituents, party, and country.

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Larry Sabato is the founder and direction of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, a professor of politics, and a nationally renowned elections scholar.

 

Click here to email Professor Sabato.

 

America’s Elected Officials, Pt. II

Congress: Why We Love to Hate Them

Lecture by Larry Sabato
16 min

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Summary:
Finding common ground among 535 individuals of different ethnic, geographic, economic, generational, and ideological backgrounds is inevitably a difficult task. While the media tends to define Congress by its worst members, this first branch of government functions – as Constitutionally designed – to play an important role in our political process.

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Larry Sabato is the founder and direction of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, a professor of politics, and a nationally renowned elections scholar.

 

Click here to email Professor Sabato.

 

America’s Elected Officials, Pt. I

From VP to VIP: The Changing Role of the Vice Presidency

Lecture by Larry Sabato
17 min

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Summary:
Throughout most of American history, the vice presidency has been an often maligned or ignored position. When Truman succeeded to office in 1945, he had to be briefed on the nuclear bomb project. In recent years, the vice president has become far more politically significant, with office holders taking on increasingly important and vocal roles.

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—

Larry Sabato is the founder and direction of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, a professor of politics, and a nationally renowned elections scholar.

 

Click here to email Professor Sabato.