{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"categoryState":{"relatedCategories":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2022-05-17T12:31:17+00:00"},"categoryId":33751,"data":{"title":"Political Science","slug":"political-science","image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Political Science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751"},"slug":"political-science","categoryId":33751}],"parentCategory":{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","slug":"academics-the-arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"}},"childCategories":[{"categoryId":34588,"title":"Australian Government","slug":"australian-government","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34588"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-2.fabfbd5c.png","width":0,"height":0}},{"categoryId":34474,"title":"American Government","slug":"american-government","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34474"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-1.daf74cf0.png","width":0,"height":0}},{"categoryId":33752,"title":"American Politics","slug":"american-politics","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33752"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-2.fabfbd5c.png","width":0,"height":0}},{"categoryId":33753,"title":"British Government","slug":"british-government","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33753"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-1.daf74cf0.png","width":0,"height":0}},{"categoryId":33754,"title":"Canadian Government","slug":"canadian-government","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33754"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-2.fabfbd5c.png","width":0,"height":0}},{"categoryId":33755,"title":"General (Political Science)","slug":"general-political-science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33755"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-1.daf74cf0.png","width":0,"height":0}}],"description":"Love it or hate it, politics is a fact of life. Learn how the wheels of government turn and glimpse the future of our changing world.","relatedArticles":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles?category=33751&offset=0&size=5"}},"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751"}},"relatedCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"listState":{"list":{"count":10,"total":98,"items":[{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:56:36+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-19T20:33:53+00:00","timestamp":"2022-04-20T00:01:09+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Political Science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751"},"slug":"political-science","categoryId":33751},{"name":"American Government","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34474"},"slug":"american-government","categoryId":34474}],"title":"Congress For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"congress for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"congress-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Meeting with a member of Congress? Coming to the capitol building? Follow these tips to make your visit as smooth as possible.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"If you’re planning a trip to Washington, D.C., follow some basic recommendations for protocol when visiting with a member of Congress or a White House staffer. Plan your trip to the Capitol Building around Congressional recesses, and be sure to have all the correct contact information for the House of Representatives and Senate to make travel easier and quicker.","description":"If you’re planning a trip to Washington, D.C., follow some basic recommendations for protocol when visiting with a member of Congress or a White House staffer. Plan your trip to the Capitol Building around Congressional recesses, and be sure to have all the correct contact information for the House of Representatives and Senate to make travel easier and quicker.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10407,"name":"David Silverberg","slug":"david-silverberg","description":"David Silverberg has been a journalist for more than 35 years, with a focus on government and politics.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10407"}},{"authorId":10408,"name":"Dennis Hastert","slug":"dennis-hastert","description":"Dennis Hastert was speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10408"}},{"authorId":10409,"name":"Tom Daschel","slug":"tom-daschel","description":"Tom Daschel was a United States senator from South Dakota from 1987 to 2005. He became Senate minority leader in 1995 and majority leader in 2001.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10409"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":34474,"title":"American Government","slug":"american-government","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34474"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":201245,"title":"Getting the President's Signature on a Congressional Bill","slug":"getting-the-presidents-signature-on-a-congressional-bill","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201245"}},{"articleId":199586,"title":"Building a Bill in Congress","slug":"building-a-bill-in-congress","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199586"}},{"articleId":199554,"title":"Categorizing Congressional Lobbyists","slug":"categorizing-congressional-lobbyists","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199554"}},{"articleId":198927,"title":"Understanding Congressional Relationships","slug":"understanding-congressional-relationships","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/198927"}},{"articleId":193103,"title":"When Are the Congressional Recesses?","slug":"when-are-the-congressional-recesses","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/193103"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":286111,"title":"The History behind Juneteenth","slug":"the-history-behind-juneteenth","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/286111"}},{"articleId":267939,"title":"10 Things to Teach Your Children About Politics","slug":"10-things-to-teach-your-children-about-politics","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267939"}},{"articleId":267936,"title":"How the Electoral College Affected the 2000 and 2016 Elections","slug":"how-the-electoral-college-affected-the-2000-and-2016-elections","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267936"}},{"articleId":267933,"title":"Do Elected Officials Care What You Think?","slug":"do-elected-officials-care-what-you-think","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267933"}},{"articleId":267921,"title":"National Party Conventions","slug":"national-party-conventions","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267921"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282102,"slug":"congress-for-dummies","isbn":"9780764554216","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764554212/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0764554212/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/0764554212-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0764554212/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/0764554212/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/congress-for-dummies-cover-9780764554216-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Congress For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b data-author-id=\"10407\">David Silverberg</b> is Managing Editor and a columnist at <i>The Hill</i>, a weekly newspaper that covers Congress.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":10407,"name":"David Silverberg","slug":"david-silverberg","description":"David Silverberg has been a journalist for more than 35 years, with a focus on government and politics.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10407"}},{"authorId":10408,"name":"Dennis Hastert","slug":"dennis-hastert","description":"Dennis Hastert was speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10408"}},{"authorId":10409,"name":"Tom Daschel","slug":"tom-daschel","description":"Tom Daschel was a United States senator from South Dakota from 1987 to 2005. He became Senate minority leader in 1995 and majority leader in 2001.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10409"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;american-government&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9780764554216&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-625f4d458c0e4\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;american-government&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9780764554216&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-625f4d458cc1f\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":193100,"title":"Tips for Visiting a Member or Staffer of Congress","slug":"tips-for-visiting-a-member-or-staffer-of-congress","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/193100"}},{"articleId":193103,"title":"When Are the Congressional Recesses?","slug":"when-are-the-congressional-recesses","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/193103"}},{"articleId":193097,"title":"House of Representatives Contact Information","slug":"house-of-representatives-contact-information","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/193097"}},{"articleId":193090,"title":"How to Contact Your U.S. Senator","slug":"how-to-contact-your-u-s-senator","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/193090"}}],"content":[{"title":"Tips for visiting a member or staffer of Congress","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>If you’re trying to meet with your Senator or Representative to lobby for a cause, these tips can help you prepare for your trip to Capitol Hill (or to your local government offices) and make a lasting first impression:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Be prompt, brief, and concise.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Know your goals.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Prepare the ground.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Do your homework.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Be courteous and calm.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Know your facts.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Offer assistance.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Provide data on the cost and economic impact of your proposal if you can.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Provide helpful written material and offer to answer any questions.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Always follow up with a call, e-mail, or note.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"When are the Congressional recesses?","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>A congressional recess is a time when congress isn’t meeting but will meet again. The recesses usually fall around a major holiday (usually lasting a week or two) and the month of August. Check your current year’s calendar for exact dates of recesses:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Presidents Day:</b> February</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Passover/Easter:</b> March or April</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Memorial Day:</b> Last week of May</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Independence Day:</b> First week of July</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>August:</b> Full month until Labor Day in September</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>First Thursday in October:</b> Target adjournment</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"House of Representatives contact information","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>You can gather information about your representative from his or her Web site, but if you need to contact another member or staffer of the House of Representatives, try the email formula below. Of course, you can always call or go the old-fashioned way and mail a letter. Here’s the House contact information you&#8217;ll need:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">The House of Representatives Web site: <a href=\"http://www.House.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.House.gov</a></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Clerk of the House: <a href=\"www.clerkweb.house.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.clerkweb.house.gov</a></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">House e-mail addresses consist of the person’s first name and last name, separated by a dot, followed by @mail.house.gov. (Be aware that some people use nicknames and middle initials.)</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p><b>Congressional database</b></p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><a href=\"http://thomas.loc.gov/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http://thomas.loc.gov/</a></p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p><b>Capitol switchboard (House and Senate)</b></p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">202-224-3121</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p><b>Mailing address</b></p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Rep. __________</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">United States House of Representatives</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Washington, DC 20510</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p><b>House offices</b></p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">The Capitol (H)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Cannon (CHOB), 1st St. &amp; Independence Ave. SE, three-digit room numbers, the first digit is the floor number</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Longworth (LHOB), Independence Ave. &amp; New Jersey Ave. SE, four-digit room numbers starting with 1, the second digit is the floor number.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Rayburn (RHOB), Independence Ave. &amp; S. Capitol St. SW, four-digit room numbers starting with 2. In Rayburn, the second digit is the floor number.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>All of the buildings have maps to help you find individual office numbers. In Rayburn there are several subcommittee offices on the “B” level (where the cafeteria is also located).</p>\n"},{"title":"How to contact your U.S. Senator","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>If you need to contact your Senator or a Senate staffer, use the following information, which provides a variety of options, including phone, e-mail, address, and location of Senate offices:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">The Senate Web site: <a href=\"http://www.Senate.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.Senate.gov</a></p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Senate e-mail addresses consist of the person’s first name and last name, separated by a dot, followed by @[last name of senator].Senate.gov</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p><b>Congressional database</b></p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><a href=\"http://thomas.loc.gov/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">thomas.loc.gov/</a></p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p><b>Capitol switchboard (House and Senate)</b></p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">202-224-3121</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p><b>Mailing address</b></p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Sen. __________</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">United States Senate</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Washington, DC 20515</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Senate offices have conventional room numbers; the first digit of the room number is the floor number.</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">The Capitol (S)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Russell (SR) 1st St. and Constitution Ave. NE (East Corner)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Dirksen (SD) 1st St. and Constitution Ave. NE (West corner)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Hart (SH) 2nd and C Streets NE</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"One year","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-04-19T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209102},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2019-05-29T20:10:24+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-03-10T21:31:12+00:00","timestamp":"2022-03-11T00:01:06+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Political Science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751"},"slug":"political-science","categoryId":33751},{"name":"British Government","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33753"},"slug":"british-government","categoryId":33753}],"title":"Brexit For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"brexit for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"brexit-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Learn all about Brexit: its ramifications for the economy of the United Kingdom, and its impact on the rest of the European Union.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Making sense of Brexit can feel like a full-time job. Find out what Brexit is and why it happened, how it impacts the economy, and what happens if the United Kingdom decides to rejoin the European Union in the future.","description":"Making sense of Brexit can feel like a full-time job. Find out what Brexit is and why it happened, how it impacts the economy, and what happens if the United Kingdom decides to rejoin the European Union in the future.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":21941,"name":"Nicholas Wallwork","slug":"nicholas-wallwork","description":"Nicholas Wallwork is a leading international real estate market commentator, entrepreneur, business leader, investor, developer, and author. In addition to heading several real estate and investment companies, he wrote Investing in International Real Estate For Dummies and has produced and presented real estate TV shows on the UK's Sky TV.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/21941"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33753,"title":"British Government","slug":"british-government","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33753"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":264340,"title":"9 Business Ideas for a Post-Brexit World","slug":"9-business-ideas-for-a-post-brexit-world","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","british-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/264340"}},{"articleId":264335,"title":"The Brexit Vote: Key Elements Behind the Withdrawal Negotiations","slug":"the-brexit-vote-key-elements-behind-the-withdrawal-negotiations","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","british-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/264335"}},{"articleId":264332,"title":"9 Ways to Protect Your Business against Brexit Uncertainty","slug":"9-ways-to-protect-your-business-against-brexit-uncertainty","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","british-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/264332"}},{"articleId":264180,"title":"Keeping an Eye on Brexit News: 10 Brexit Developments to Watch","slug":"keeping-an-eye-on-brexit-news-10-brexit-developments-to-watch","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","british-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/264180"}},{"articleId":264163,"title":"GDPR and Brexit: Managing the Personal Data of EU Citizens","slug":"gdpr-and-brexit-managing-the-personal-data-of-eu-citizens","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","british-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/264163"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":264340,"title":"9 Business Ideas for a Post-Brexit World","slug":"9-business-ideas-for-a-post-brexit-world","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","british-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/264340"}},{"articleId":264335,"title":"The Brexit Vote: Key Elements Behind the Withdrawal Negotiations","slug":"the-brexit-vote-key-elements-behind-the-withdrawal-negotiations","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","british-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/264335"}},{"articleId":264332,"title":"9 Ways to Protect Your Business against Brexit Uncertainty","slug":"9-ways-to-protect-your-business-against-brexit-uncertainty","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","british-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/264332"}},{"articleId":264180,"title":"Keeping an Eye on Brexit News: 10 Brexit Developments to Watch","slug":"keeping-an-eye-on-brexit-news-10-brexit-developments-to-watch","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","british-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/264180"}},{"articleId":264163,"title":"GDPR and Brexit: Managing the Personal Data of EU Citizens","slug":"gdpr-and-brexit-managing-the-personal-data-of-eu-citizens","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","british-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/264163"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281643,"slug":"brexit-for-dummies","isbn":"9781119601227","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","british-government"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119601223/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119601223/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119601223-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119601223/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119601223/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/brexit-for-dummies-cover-9781119601227-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Brexit For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b data-author-id=\"21941\">Nicholas Wallwork</b> is a leading international real estate market commentator, entrepreneur, business leader, investor, developer, and author. In addition to heading several real estate and investment companies, he wrote Investing in International Real Estate For Dummies and has produced and presented real estate TV shows on the UK's Sky TV.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":21941,"name":"Nicholas Wallwork","slug":"nicholas-wallwork","description":"Nicholas Wallwork is a leading international real estate market commentator, entrepreneur, business leader, investor, developer, and author. In addition to heading several real estate and investment companies, he wrote Investing in International Real Estate For Dummies and has produced and presented real estate TV shows on the UK's Sky TV.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/21941"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;british-government&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119601227&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-622a9142eff49\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;british-government&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119601227&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-622a9142f08b5\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":261811,"title":"What Is Brexit? and Why Brexit Happened","slug":"","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/261811"}},{"articleId":261815,"title":"Is Brexit Good or Bad for the Economy?","slug":"","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/261815"}},{"articleId":261818,"title":"After Brexit: Can the UK Rejoin the EU?","slug":"","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/261818"}}],"content":[{"title":"What is Brexit and why Brexit happened","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Combining the words <em>Britain</em> and <em>exit,</em> <em><a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/education/politics-government/what-is-brexit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brexit</a> </em>is the catchy nickname given to the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union (EU).</p>\n<p>In June 2016, the United Kingdom (UK) held a referendum on whether to remain a member of the EU, the political and economic union made up of 28 (including the UK) European countries (known as <em>member states</em>). The result was close, with 51.89 percent of voters choosing to leave the EU, and 48.11 percent preferring to remain in the union. Hence, the country was divided almost in half — with leavers/Brexiters on one side and remainers/Europhiles on the other.</p>\n<div class=\"figure-container\"><figure id=\"attachment_261812\" aria-labelledby=\"figcaption_attachment_261812\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"width: 545px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-261812\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/brexit.jpg\" alt=\"Brexit\" width=\"535\" height=\"357\" /><figcaption id=\"figcaption_attachment_261812\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">©By Ivan Marc/Shutterstock</figcaption></figure></div><div class=\"clearfix\"></div>\n<p>The date for the UK’s departure from the EU was originally set for March 29, 2019, but amidst chaotic attempts to approve the formal withdrawal agreement (which set out the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU) in the UK Parliament, the date was pushed back to April 12, 2019. It was then delayed again until October 31, 2019.</p>\n<p>Why did the UK population vote to leave the EU, albeit narrowly? The answer to that is long and complicated. Partly, it was the result of general unease at the free movement of people (a key principle of the EU), which saw large numbers of European migrants choosing to live and work in the UK. Even though workers from the EU were proven to be <em>net contributors </em>to the UK’s public purse (meaning they pay more into the system in taxes than they take out in terms of healthcare, education and so on), many felt voters were sending a clear signal that they wanted to see less immigration.</p>\n<p>And partly, it was about a desire to “take back control” from the EU. All EU members are bound by EU regulations (even though, as an EU member, the UK had a big say in what those regulations are), which led to many voters feeling like the EU was the one calling the shots.</p>\n<p>But these are just broad generalizations, and different people voted the way they did for a whole host of reasons. Ultimately, the referendum result showed that, rightly or wrongly, a small majority of voters felt that the downsides of EU membership (such as free movement from EU countries to the UK and financial contributions to the EU annual budget) outweighed the positives (such as greater integration, ease of trading across borders, and, don’t forget, the right for Britons to live and work in other EU countries).</p>\n<p>Of course, the referendum result was just the start of the Brexit process. The UK and EU have, since then, been engaged in lengthy negotiations on how the exit will be managed, and what the future relationship between both parties will look like. In some areas, such as trade, these negotiations could go on for years.</p>\n"},{"title":"Is Brexit good or bad for the economy?","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>The answer to this depends on where you are in the world, how far into the future you want to look, how the Brexit process plays out, and how optimistic you are about the United Kingdom’s trading prospects after Brexit. It&#8217;s a bit more complicated than a simple list of Brexit pros and cons.</p>\n<p>Here are some key points for the economy of the United Kingdom (UK):</p>\n<ul>\n<li>According to the UK government’s own estimates, if the UK exits the European Union (EU) under the terms of Prime Minster Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement, then the UK economy could be up to 3.9 percent smaller after 15 years than it would’ve been had the UK stayed in the EU.</li>\n<li>If the UK exits the EU without agreeing on a withdrawal agreement (a so-called “no-deal Brexit” or “hard Brexit”), then the impact will be greater. Under a no-deal scenario, the UK’s economy could be up to 9.3 percent smaller.</li>\n<li>General uncertainty around Brexit has also had a negative impact on the UK economy — there’s evidence of falling foreign investment and UK companies delaying investment or expansion plans amidst uncertainty. Some companies have made plans to pull out of the UK entirely, and move their operations to Europe. In fact, continuing Brexit uncertainty slowed the UK’s economic growth to 1.3 percent in 2018 (compared to 1.7 percent in 2017).</li>\n<li>The value of the British pound is around 14 percent lower than it was before the Brexit referendum.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>That said, many in favor of Brexit feel that the UK’s post-Brexit prospects are bright, arguing that greater freedom to negotiate its own trade deals around the world (as opposed to negotiating as part of the EU trading bloc) would make the UK more prosperous in the longer term.</p>\n<p>It’s not just the UK that’s feeling the effects of Brexit uncertainty. The value of the euro also fell in the wake of the referendum, and the UK is an important trading partner for many European countries — leading to concerns that trade barriers (such as tariffs) would hit EU–UK trade hard. This would impact some European countries more than others, depending on how much they trade with the UK.</p>\n<p>And what about the United States? Well, the weaker pound and euro certainty strengthened the value of the dollar, but that’s not necessarily a good thing for the American stock market because it makes American shares more expensive (and, therefore, potentially less attractive) to overseas investors. The weaker pound and euro also makes American exports into those markets more expensive — the UK in particular is a key export market for American businesses.</p>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Six months","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-03-10T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":261821},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:52:56+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-03-01T19:06:20+00:00","timestamp":"2022-03-02T00:01:03+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Political Science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751"},"slug":"political-science","categoryId":33751},{"name":"General (Political Science)","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33755"},"slug":"general-political-science","categoryId":33755}],"title":"Urban Planning For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"urban planning for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"urban-planning-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Get involved in planning your community's future! Learn about natural resources, public utilities, and more aspects of urban planning.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Urban plans help shape the future of a community by addressing everything from housing and transportation to natural resources, public utilities, and more. You don’t have to be a professional urban planner to get involved in planning your community’s future. Whether you participate in the planning process, serve as a local planning commissioner, or help carry out your community’s plan, you can play an important part.","description":"Urban plans help shape the future of a community by addressing everything from housing and transportation to natural resources, public utilities, and more. You don’t have to be a professional urban planner to get involved in planning your community’s future. Whether you participate in the planning process, serve as a local planning commissioner, or help carry out your community’s plan, you can play an important part.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10092,"name":"Jordan Yin","slug":"jordan-yin","description":"Jordan Yin, PhD, AICP, is a faculty member of the College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He has published research articles in leading academic journals, including Urban Affairs Review and Journal of Urban Affairs, and his work as an urban planner has been reported on by National Public Radio, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10092"}},{"authorId":10093,"name":"W. Paul Farmer","slug":"w-paul-farmer","description":"W. Paul Farmer, MD, PhD, is a professor and chair of the department of global health at Harvard Medical School. He co-founded Partners in Health (PIH), a nonprofit that provides care for those who are sick and living in poverty.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10093"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33755,"title":"General (Political Science)","slug":"general-political-science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33755"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":184051,"title":"How You Can Get Involved in Planning Your Community’s Future","slug":"how-you-can-get-involved-in-planning-your-communitys-future","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/184051"}},{"articleId":184050,"title":"What Is an Urban Plan?","slug":"what-is-an-urban-plan","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/184050"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":273087,"title":"Becoming City-Data-Savvy to Develop a Smart City","slug":"becoming-city-data-savvy-to-develop-a-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/273087"}},{"articleId":273081,"title":"How to Implement Data Governance in a Smart City","slug":"how-to-implement-data-governance-in-a-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/273081"}},{"articleId":272908,"title":"Building a Smart City Plan","slug":"building-a-smart-city-plan","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272908"}},{"articleId":272903,"title":"Establishing a Vision for Your Smart City","slug":"establishing-a-vision-for-your-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272903"}},{"articleId":272897,"title":"Project Management and Governance for Your Smart City Plan","slug":"project-management-and-governance-for-your-smart-city-plan","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272897"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282651,"slug":"urban-planning-for-dummies","isbn":"9781118100233","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1118100239/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1118100239/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1118100239-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1118100239/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1118100239/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/urban-planning-for-dummies-cover-9781118100233-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Urban Planning For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"\n <p>Jordan Yin, PhD, AICP, is a faculty member of the College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He has published research articles in leading academic journals, including Urban Affairs Review and Journal of Urban Affairs, and his work as an urban planner has been reported on by National Public Radio, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.</p> ","authors":[{"authorId":10092,"name":"Jordan Yin","slug":"jordan-yin","description":"Jordan Yin, PhD, AICP, is a faculty member of the College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He has published research articles in leading academic journals, including Urban Affairs Review and Journal of Urban Affairs, and his work as an urban planner has been reported on by National Public Radio, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10092"}},{"authorId":10093,"name":"W. Paul Farmer","slug":"w-paul-farmer","description":"W. Paul Farmer, MD, PhD, is a professor and chair of the department of global health at Harvard Medical School. He co-founded Partners in Health (PIH), a nonprofit that provides care for those who are sick and living in poverty.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10093"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;general-political-science&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781118100233&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-621eb3bf35ab2\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;general-political-science&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781118100233&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-621eb3bf35fd4\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":184050,"title":"What Is an Urban Plan?","slug":"what-is-an-urban-plan","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/184050"}},{"articleId":184051,"title":"How You Can Get Involved in Planning Your Community’s Future","slug":"how-you-can-get-involved-in-planning-your-communitys-future","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/184051"}}],"content":[{"title":"What is an urban plan?","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>The most common type of urban plan, called a <i>comprehensive plan,</i> examines many different aspects of a community and establishes a course of action for 30 or more years into the future. Here are the topics that a typical comprehensive plan addresses:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Land use:</b> The land use component of an urban plan assesses how land is being used by different kinds of activities (for example, residential or industrial). It also lays out a plan for the future, showing how land will be used for different activities. The land use component of a plan not only looks into what areas of the community are most suitable for future development or need to be conserved, but also helps a community establish zoning codes and other land use regulations to guide future development.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Housing:</b> Cities and towns are home to many different types of housing, including everything from small houses to high-rise apartment buildings. The housing component of an urban plan determines what types of housing are present in the community today and what types of housing may be needed in the future. It addresses the housing needs of people with disabilities, low-income families, and other people with specific needs.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Transportation:</b> The transportation component of an urban plan assesses the overall transportation system serving the community, including everything from roads and highways for cars and trucks, to subways and buses for public transportation, to dedicated paths for walking and bicycling. Planning for transportation helps ensure that every part of the city is adequately served by the transportation system and that all the people in the community can get where they need to go.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Urban design:</b> Urban design considers not only how nice a place a looks but also how well it functions. A well-designed urban area looks good and works well. The urban design component of a plan takes a look at many different parts of the physical form of the city, ranging from individual buildings to layouts of entire neighborhoods and towns.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Natural resources, recreation, and open space:</b> These components of an urban plan address the quality of a community’s air, water, and land resources, as well as areas of the community that serve as habitats, open space, recreational areas, and other environmentally important areas. Planning ahead allows the community to conserve and protect its natural resources and provide adequate areas for recreation and open space.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Infrastructure and public facilities:</b> Infrastructure and public facilities are important components of an urban plan and can include planning for items ranging from sewer pipes to power lines to public safety stations. These facilities and services are essential to the operation of the community, and their planning is closely coordinated with related components of the plan, such as land use, housing, and transportation.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>In addition to a comprehensive plan, many communities also write specialized plans that may focus on specific topics and short-range goals or target specific areas of the community. For example, many communities have specific plans for downtown redevelopment areas or have developed disaster recovery plans with five-year rebuilding goals.</p>\n"},{"title":"How you can get involved in planning your community's future","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Getting involved in urban planning in your community can make the difference between a plan <i>for</i> the community and a plan <i>by</i> the community. You can get involved in planning a better and brighter future for your community in a variety of ways:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Participate in the planning process.</b> Being part of the planning process is a great way to learn more about your community and contribute your ideas. There are typically many different ways for the public to get involved in helping to make a plan for the future:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Attend a meeting.</b> Public meetings are an important part of the planning process. They’re an opportunity to learn more about your community, get information about the potential elements of the proposed plan, and provide your own ideas and feedback.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Participate in a survey or focus group.</b> Many planning efforts use community surveys or small meetings of community stakeholders, known as <i>focus groups,</i> to gather information about conditions in the community and what people would like to see happen in the future.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Help plan online.</b> An increasing number of communities are using the Internet to communicate with community stakeholders and gather information for their plans using online tools such as discussion boards, “virtual meetings,” and online surveys.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Help collect information and meet your neighbors.</b> Some planning efforts use community volunteers to help collect information that can be used in the plan — such as a door-to-door survey of residents — and use volunteers to help get the word out about upcoming meetings or other events by distributing flyers or making phone calls.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Get involved in a planning workshop.</b> Many communities hold planning workshops that help get community stakeholders more deeply involved in making the local plan. Sometimes called a <i>planning charrette,</i> these workshops usually take place over several days and use the ideas and feedback of community stakeholders to help plan and design the community.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Serve on an advisory committee.</b> Some local planning efforts have advisory committees made up of community residents and other community stakeholders, such as business or property owners. These committees usually provide advice and guidance that is used in the overall planning process and helps professional urban planners better understand the needs of the community.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Serve on your local planning commission.</b> A planning commission is a body of elected or appointed local officials that helps draw up the community’s comprehensive plan and may also make important day-to-day to decisions on local land use regulations. Becoming a planning commissioner can require a significant commitment of time and effort, but it’s a great way to get involved in shaping your community. Here’s an overview of what planning commissioners do:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Help make decisions.</b> Planning commissioners make decisions on land use regulations that help determine what types of activities will be present in the community.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Promote the planning process.</b> Planning commissioners are responsible for advancing the community’s comprehensive planning process and formally adopting the plan after it’s complete.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Identify opportunities and challenges.</b> Planning commissioners help identify the opportunities and challenges facing the community.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Set goals and targets.</b> Planning commissioners play an important role in helping the community establish its goals for the future and specific targets that the community hopes to meet.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Help carry out the plan. </b>After the community’s plan is set, you can get involved in carrying out the plan by</p>\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Volunteering:</b> Making a plan is just the beginning of changing the community for the better. An effective plan needs to be carried out by residents, businesses, government agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders. Volunteers often are essential to carrying out the plan’s recommendations. Nonprofit organizations that are helping to carry out the plan in the community often rely on volunteers to carry out community service projects, such as helping to start a community garden.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Championing a specific issue as a social entrepreneur:</b> Plans often create new opportunities for enterprising individuals and nonprofit organizations. Social entrepreneurs can help get the plan moving by starting new initiatives that address priorities raised by the plan, such as starting a community recycling program or training high school students for environmentally friendly jobs.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-03-01T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":208459},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2020-07-16T19:00:32+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-02-24T19:44:29+00:00","timestamp":"2022-02-25T00:01:04+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Political Science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751"},"slug":"political-science","categoryId":33751},{"name":"General (Political Science)","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33755"},"slug":"general-political-science","categoryId":33755}],"title":"Political Science For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"political science for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"political-science-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Become educated on political issues and discover how politics is made at local, national, and international levels by studying political science.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"From early Greek political philosophy to current international conflicts, political science is a study in how people come together, interact, become informed, and make decisions that affect everyone. Studying political science allows you to become educated on political issues, make decisions, and discover how politics is made at the local, national, and international level. Take a look at the list of important political scientists and their major works to guide you through the evolution of political science. Also, read through major political science concepts to give you a well-rounded view of political science as a vital discipline.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_272016\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-272016\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/polisci-concept.jpg\" alt=\"political science\" width=\"556\" height=\"556\" /> ©Login/Shutterstock.com[/caption]","description":"From early Greek political philosophy to current international conflicts, political science is a study in how people come together, interact, become informed, and make decisions that affect everyone. Studying political science allows you to become educated on political issues, make decisions, and discover how politics is made at the local, national, and international level. Take a look at the list of important political scientists and their major works to guide you through the evolution of political science. Also, read through major political science concepts to give you a well-rounded view of political science as a vital discipline.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_272016\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-272016\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/polisci-concept.jpg\" alt=\"political science\" width=\"556\" height=\"556\" /> ©Login/Shutterstock.com[/caption]","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9725,"name":"Marcus A. Stadelmann","slug":"marcus-stadelmann","description":"Marcus A. Stadelmann, PhD, is a professor of political science and chair of the Department of Political Science and History at the University of Texas at Tyler. Along with teaching at universities in California, Utah, and Texas, Dr. Stadelmann has published and given presentations in the fields of American politics and international relations.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9725"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33755,"title":"General (Political Science)","slug":"general-political-science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33755"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":272094,"title":"10 Political Science Books Everyone Should Read","slug":"10-political-science-books-everyone-should-read","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272094"}},{"articleId":272091,"title":"Political Science: What Is Political Socialization?","slug":"political-science-what-is-political-socialization","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272091"}},{"articleId":272088,"title":"Political Science: The International Bill of Human Rights","slug":"political-science-the-international-bill-of-human-rights","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272088"}},{"articleId":272085,"title":"Seeking Globalization: An Integration of Countries","slug":"seeking-globalization-an-integration-of-countries","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272085"}},{"articleId":272082,"title":"Political Science: Maoism","slug":"political-science-maoism","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272082"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":273087,"title":"Becoming City-Data-Savvy to Develop a Smart City","slug":"becoming-city-data-savvy-to-develop-a-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/273087"}},{"articleId":273081,"title":"How to Implement Data Governance in a Smart City","slug":"how-to-implement-data-governance-in-a-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/273081"}},{"articleId":272908,"title":"Building a Smart City Plan","slug":"building-a-smart-city-plan","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272908"}},{"articleId":272903,"title":"Establishing a Vision for Your Smart City","slug":"establishing-a-vision-for-your-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272903"}},{"articleId":272897,"title":"Project Management and Governance for Your Smart City Plan","slug":"project-management-and-governance-for-your-smart-city-plan","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272897"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282481,"slug":"political-science-for-dummies-2","isbn":"9781119674849","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119674840/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119674840/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119674840-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119674840/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119674840/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/political-science-for-dummies-cover-9781119674849-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Political Science For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b data-author-id=\"9725\">Marcus A. Stadelmann</b>, PhD, is a professor of political science and chair of the Department of Political Science and History at the University of Texas at Tyler. Along with teaching at universities in California, Utah, and Texas, Dr. Stadelmann has published and given presentations in the fields of American politics and international relations.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":9725,"name":"Marcus A. Stadelmann","slug":"marcus-stadelmann","description":"Marcus A. Stadelmann, PhD, is a professor of political science and chair of the Department of Political Science and History at the University of Texas at Tyler. Along with teaching at universities in California, Utah, and Texas, Dr. Stadelmann has published and given presentations in the fields of American politics and international relations.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9725"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;general-political-science&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119674849&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-62181c403e37b\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;general-political-science&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119674849&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-62181c403ed13\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":0,"title":"","slug":null,"categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/"}}],"content":[{"title":"Key political scientists and their works","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p><strong>Socrates, Circa 470–399 BCE:</strong> Socrates was the first to discuss the concept of virtue and associate it with ethical behavior. Socrates also gave us the Socratic method, which involves intense questioning of students.</p>\n<p><strong>Plato, 427–347 BCE:</strong> Plato discussed how politics can be used to bring about justice in society. In 360 BCE, Plato’s <em>The Republic </em>was published<em>.</em></p>\n<p><strong>Aristotle, 384–322 BCE:</strong> Aristotle was a student of Plato. He was the first to combine philosophy and politics and create a typology of different forms of governments. In 335 BCE, Aristotle wrote <em>Politics.</em></p>\n<p><strong>St. Augustine, 354–430 CE:</strong> St. Augustine was a Catholic philosopher who fused the thoughts of Plato with Catholic teachings.</p>\n<p><strong>St. Thomas Aquinas, 1225–1274 CE:</strong> St. Aquinas integrated Aristotle’s concept of people being able to reason with Catholic doctrines.</p>\n<p><strong>Niccolo Machiavelli, 1469–1527:</strong> Machiavelli claimed that power is the key to politics. In 1532, <em>The Prince</em> was published after Machiavelli’s death.</p>\n<p><strong>Thomas Hobbes, 1588–1679:</strong> Hobbes agreed with Machiavelli that power is the key to politics and stated that people voluntarily give up their freedoms for security. In 1651, Hobbes’s <em>Leviathan</em> was published.</p>\n<p><strong>John Locke, 1632-1704:</strong> Locke came up with the idea that human beings are principled and bright and therefore can live with a limited government and self-rule. His <em>Two Treatises of Government</em> was published in 1690.</p>\n<p><strong>Montesquieu, 1689–1755:</strong> Montesquieu created the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances. In 1748, <em>The Spirit of the Laws</em> was published (first English version was published in 1750).</p>\n<p><strong>Jean Jacques Rousseau,</strong> <strong>1712–1778:</strong> Rousseau believed that people are born free and can peacefully live in a state of nature without government. Their goodness is destroyed by the advent of private property. In 1762, Rousseau’s <em>The Social Contract </em>was published.</p>\n<p><strong>Edmund Burke, 1729–1797:</strong> A conservative political theorist, who was opposed to the French Revolution, Burke claimed that people are on occasion irrational and driven by emotions, which can result in the destruction of traditional institutions.</p>\n<p><strong>Adam Smith, 1723–1790:</strong> Smith created the concept of laissez faire capitalism, advocating for a small, limited role of government in the economy. His<em> The Wealth of Nations</em> was published in 1776.</p>\n<p><strong>John Stuart Mill, 1806–1873:</strong> Mill argued that the more active people are in politics, the more satisfied they will be with their government.</p>\n<p><strong>Karl Marx, 1818–1883:</strong> Marx was one of the founders of Communism. He argued that societies develop through class conflict until Communism has been reached. <em>The Communist Manifesto, </em>written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, was published. In 1867, Marx’s <em>Das Kapital (Volume I)</em> was published.</p>\n<p><strong>Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, or just Lenin, 1870–1924:</strong> Lenin was a major Russian political theorist who instigated the Russian Revolution and created the Soviet Union in 1922. Lenin’s books <em>Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism</em> and <em>The State and Revolution</em> were published in 1917.</p>\n<p><strong>Hans Morgenthau, 1904–1980:</strong> Morgenthau brought back realism to the United States and American foreign policy in his work <em>Politics among Nations</em> (1948).</p>\n<p><strong>Vladimir Orlando Key Jr., 1908-1963:</strong> V. O. Key was one of the most famous political scientists studying American politics. He not only created the concepts of realignment and dealignment but also was the first to study the impact of interest groups on American politics.</p>\n<p><strong>Gabriel Almond, 1911–2002:</strong> Almond not only brought behavioralism to comparative politics but also created the concept of the civic culture (with Sidney Verba) to explain how an ideal political culture can sustain democracy. Their book <em>The Civic Culture</em> was published in 1963.</p>\n<p><strong>David Easton, 1917–2014:</strong> Easton not only created the school of postbehavioralism but also gave the world the input/output model to explain policy making.</p>\n<p><strong>John Rawls, 1921–2002:</strong> Rawls created the concept of a theory of justice, arguing for a political system based on social justice. In 1971, Rawls’s <em>A Theory of Justice</em> was published.</p>\n<p><strong>Kenneth Waltz, 1924–2013: </strong>Waltz created the idea of the three image (level) explanation for international conflict. His <em>Man, the State, and War: A Theoretical Analysis</em> was published in 1959.</p>\n<p><strong>Robert Gilpin, 1930–2018:</strong> In his work, <em>War and Change in World Politics,</em> published in 1981, Gilpin introduced the theory of hegemonic stability.</p>\n"},{"title":"Major Political Science Concepts","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p><strong>Authoritarianism:</strong> In an authoritarian state, the government controls many aspects of its citizens’ lives; however, it doesn’t exercise complete control over people.</p>\n<p><strong>Balance of power:</strong> A theory that stipulates that as long as all great powers are similar in size and power, the world will be in balance and peace will result.</p>\n<p><strong>Behavioralism:</strong> The study of human beings and their behavior. Behavioralism was a direct response to the failures of traditionalism and was an attempt to turn political science and the social sciences overall into real scientific disciplines.</p>\n<p><strong>Bicameralism:</strong> A political system in which two legislative houses, usually one lower and one upper house, exist.</p>\n<p><strong>Cabinet:</strong> A cabinet consists of the appointed officials of the executive.</p>\n<p><strong>Cadre party:</strong> A decentralized and part-time political party whose major purpose is to win office. The United States has Cadre political parties.</p>\n<p><strong>Capitalism: </strong>An economic system that is also referred to as a free market economy. It’s the number-one economic system in the advanced industrialized world. Under capitalism, property, and the means of production, such as factories, are privately owned.</p>\n<p><strong>Checks and balances: </strong>A form of government where each branch of government shares power with the others and can therefore check the others.</p>\n<p><strong>Cold War: </strong>The period between 1946 until 1991 is called the Cold War because there were no large-scale physical conflicts (wars) between the two great powers, the United States and the Soviet Union.</p>\n<p><strong>Communism:</strong> A political and economic system where a classless society exists. It’s based on the concept of communalism — everything is owned by the community, and people are provided for by the community.</p>\n<p><strong>Critical realignment:</strong> A core group of a political party’s supporters switching to the opposition. This switch also creates a new majority party.</p>\n<p><strong>Confederation:</strong> A confederation is a very loose organization of localities or states. In a confederation, these localities and states hold all the political power. The central government itself has none or only a few powers.</p>\n<p><strong>Constitution:</strong> Written document that outlines the whole structure of a political system. Constitutions include the distribution of power among institutions and also basic individual rights.</p>\n<p><strong>Dealignment:</strong> A core group of supporters leaving a political party and refusing to join another political party.</p>\n<p><strong>Democracy:</strong> A form of government in which political power is vested in the people.</p>\n<p><strong>Direct democracy: </strong>A type of democracy where the people directly make policy.</p>\n<p><strong>Economic liberalism: </strong>A political and economic theory based on support for a market economy and private property. Economic liberals are afraid of government intervention in the economy and thus support only a small limited government.</p>\n<p><strong>Elite theory</strong>: A theory that a few powerful groups will consistently prevail in public policy making, often at the expense of the majority.</p>\n<p><strong>Empirical theory:</strong> A theory that tests its propositions.</p>\n<p><strong>Fascism:</strong> An authoritarian ideology that is highly nationalistic, militaristic, and in many instances openly racist.</p>\n<p><strong>Federal system of government:</strong> A system of government where subnational levels of governments not only exist but also have independent powers.</p>\n<p><strong>Globalization:</strong> The integration of countries through increasing trade and contact.</p>\n<p><strong>Human rights</strong><strong>:</strong> Rights essential to human beings.</p>\n<p><strong>Idealism:</strong> School of thought that emphasizes the role of knowledge, reason, compassion, and self-restraint in international relations.</p>\n<p><strong>Incumbents:</strong> Elected officials who currently hold office.</p>\n<p><strong>Independent:</strong> A voter who doesn’t identify with a political party.</p>\n<p><strong>Interest aggregation:</strong> The act of joining like-minded citizens to acquire political power.</p>\n<p><strong>Interest group:</strong> An organization that seeks to influence public policy.</p>\n<p><strong>International law:</strong> A body of rules and principles that are binding upon civilized states.</p>\n<p><strong>International political economy (IPE):</strong> An interdisciplinary approach, incorporating the disciplines of political science and economics and relying on history, sociology, and even anthropology, to study the relationship between states in the international economic arena.</p>\n<p><strong>Judicial review:</strong> The power of courts to declare laws of the legislature or acts of the executive unconstitutional, thereby nullifying them.</p>\n<p><strong>League of Nations: </strong>Proposed by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, the League of Nations was an international organization designed to prevent war. The organization was based on the concept of collective security, where an attack on one member equaled an attack on all members, thereby outlawing war.</p>\n<p><strong>Legitimacy:</strong> The belief that a government’s power over its population is rightful.</p>\n<p><strong>Lobbying: </strong>Contacting members of the legislative, executive, or judicial branches of government in an attempt to influence policy or administrative decisions.</p>\n<p><strong>Mass party:</strong> A centralized and full-time political party whose major purpose is to represent a certain ideological viewpoint.</p>\n<p><strong>Mercantilism:</strong> One of the oldest economic theories around. It, unlike economic liberalism, believes that politics and economics are related and that economics is supposed to serve a nation’s interest.</p>\n<p><strong>Multiparty system:</strong> A political system in which more than two parties have a realistic chance of winning political offices.</p>\n<p><strong>Neofascism:</strong> Post-WWII ideology that incorporates significant elements of Fascism but also rejects violence and advocates gaining power democratically.</p>\n<p><strong>Neorealism:</strong> An update to classical realism by including the role international law, international organizations, and domestic politics can play in international relations.</p>\n<p><strong>Normative theory:</strong> A theory that looks at how things ought to and should be and not how they really are.</p>\n<p><strong>Parliamentary system:</strong> A political system in which the executive is selected by the legislative.</p>\n<p><strong>Partisan:</strong> A voter who identifies with a political party.</p>\n<p><strong>Party identification:</strong> People connecting with a political party.</p>\n<p><strong>Party platform:</strong> A document drawn up that outlines a party’s policies and principles.</p>\n<p><strong>Pluralism: </strong>A theory that public policy should be made by competing interest groups to ensure that no single interest group will prevail all the time.</p>\n<p><strong>Political culture: </strong>A set of attitudes and practices held by citizens that in turn shapes their political behavior in society.</p>\n<p><strong>Political ideology:</strong> A belief system (Weltanschauung) that shapes how people see and analyze politics. An ideology affects people’s outlook on the world and the role they play in it. It determines how people see everything and everybody.</p>\n<p><strong>Political party:</strong> A group of citizens who organize to contest elections, win public office, and impact policy making.</p>\n<p><strong>Political power:</strong> The ability to get others to do what you want. It can take force or peaceful means, such as persuasion, to achieve this.</p>\n<p><strong>Political science:</strong> An academic discipline that studies the relationship between people and political institutions.</p>\n<p><strong>Political socialization: </strong>The term refers to the process of how people acquire their political values.</p>\n<p><strong>Populism:</strong> A movement that challenges the established values and rules of the political establishment.</p>\n<p><strong>Postbehavioralism:</strong> A methodological approach that combines aspects of traditionalism and behavioralism.</p>\n<p><strong>Presidential system:</strong> A political system in which the executive is selected separately from the legislative.</p>\n<p><strong>Proportional representation:</strong> An electoral system in which seats are allocated based on the proportion of the vote a party receives.</p>\n<p><strong>Realignment:</strong> A core group of supporters of a political party switching to the opposition party.</p>\n<p><strong>Realism:</strong> School of thought that emphasizes the role of the state, national interest, and military power in international relations.</p>\n<p><strong>Representative democracy: </strong>A type of democracy where the people elect representatives to make policy on their behalf.</p>\n<p><strong>Separation of powers: </strong>A form of government where powers are divided between the legislative, executive, and the judiciary.</p>\n<p><strong>Single-member district electoral system:</strong> An electoral system in which the person who wins the most votes in a district is elected to office.</p>\n<p><strong>Social contract theory: </strong>Theories on the relationship between state and people.</p>\n<p><strong>Social democracy:</strong> The mildest form of socialism, advocating for the retention of private property in a society but calling for a large welfare state and some state-owned industries. The free market remains in place.</p>\n<p><strong>Socialism:</strong> A political and economic system where most property is owned by the state and a centralized planning agency that plans for all of society replaces the free market.</p>\n<p><strong>Sovereignty:</strong> Sovereignty is also called the essence of statehood. It’s what makes a country legitimate in the eyes of the world.</p>\n<p><strong>State:</strong> The Treaty of Westphalia established the current state system in 1648. A state is an entity with a defined territory and an established sovereign government.</p>\n<p><strong>State capitalism:</strong> A modern variant of mercantilism, this economic theory believes that the government has the right and even obligation to intervene in the economy. This can be accomplished through direct ownership of enterprises or other forms of economic planning. But private property is legal, and the majority of the economy is privately owned.</p>\n<p><strong>State socialism:</strong> Advocates a direct state role within a nation’s economy, but private property isn’t allowed. In other words, the state owns all the property in a society. A prime example is the former Soviet Union where the state owned all the property and a private market wasn’t allowed to function.</p>\n<p><strong>Terrorism</strong><strong>:</strong> The deliberate use of violence against civilians for political or religious ends.</p>\n<p><strong>The Concert of Europe:</strong> The Concert of Europe was the political system in Europe, based on the balance of power concept, that lasted until the outbreak of World War I. It provided Europe for almost a century with peace (despite some minor conflicts).</p>\n<p><strong>Theory:</strong> A general explanation of behavior or events.</p>\n<p><strong>Treaty of Westphalia: </strong>The Treaty of Westphalia set the foundation for a new international structure in Europe in 1648. Entities called states were created, replacing the old empires.</p>\n<p><strong>Traditionalism:</strong> A methodological approach that is descriptive and configurative in nature and employs normative theory.</p>\n<p><strong>Totalitarianism:</strong> In a totalitarian state, the government exercises total control over its citizens.</p>\n<p><strong>Two-party system:</strong> A political system in which only two parties have a realistic chance of winning political office.</p>\n<p><strong>Unicameralism:</strong> A political system in which there is only one legislature.</p>\n<p><strong>Unitary system of government:</strong> A system of government where all power is located with the central government. Although lower levels of governments, such as counties or departments, can exist, these don’t have independent powers. All power is derived from the central government.</p>\n<p><strong>United Nations (UN):</strong> An international organization that attempts to maintain peace and security in the international arena.</p>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-02-24T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":272015},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:56:13+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-02-09T00:44:25+00:00","timestamp":"2022-02-24T17:07:30+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Political Science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751"},"slug":"political-science","categoryId":33751},{"name":"Australian Government","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34588"},"slug":"australian-government","categoryId":34588}],"title":"Australian Politics For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"australian politics for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"australian-politics-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"This Cheat Sheet summarizes the basics of Australian politics and voting, including political parties, campaigns, and the media's role.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Politics — it’s everywhere. It affects everything in society, like taxes, the environment, health, education, the economy, international affairs, security and everything in between. So, knowing how political decisions are made and who the important actors are makes sense.\r\n\r\nKnowledge is power, and understanding how the Australian political system actually works gives you the power to get involved and influence politics yourself. Check out this Cheat Sheet, which provides quick summaries of Australia's political parties, campaigns, the role of the media, and tips for voting effectively.","description":"Politics — it’s everywhere. It affects everything in society, like taxes, the environment, health, education, the economy, international affairs, security and everything in between. So, knowing how political decisions are made and who the important actors are makes sense.\r\n\r\nKnowledge is power, and understanding how the Australian political system actually works gives you the power to get involved and influence politics yourself. Check out this Cheat Sheet, which provides quick summaries of Australia's political parties, campaigns, the role of the media, and tips for voting effectively.","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":34588,"title":"Australian Government","slug":"australian-government","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34588"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;australian-government&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6217bb529246e\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;australian-government&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6217bb5292e72\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":0,"title":"","slug":null,"categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/"}},{"articleId":192425,"title":"Voting in Australian Elections","slug":"voting-in-australian-elections","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/192425"}},{"articleId":192427,"title":"Considering Australian Political Parties and You","slug":"considering-australian-political-parties-and-you","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/192427"}},{"articleId":192429,"title":"The Role the Media Plays in Australian Politics","slug":"the-role-the-media-plays-in-australian-politics","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/192429"}},{"articleId":192426,"title":"Understanding Australian Political Campaigns","slug":"understanding-australian-political-campaigns","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/192426"}}],"content":[{"title":"Voting in Australian elections","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Voting is the cornerstone of a democratic system. But Australia has different methods of voting in elections, as well as having many elections. Here are a few tips so you’ll go into a polling booth with greater confidence and cast your vote more effectively:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Get a handle on the voting systems.</strong> Get to know the different ways to vote for the Senate and the House of Representatives.</li>\n<li><strong>Understand voting behavior.</strong> Knowing why people vote the way they do can make your own vote more effective.</li>\n<li><strong>Follow the election count and pick the winners.</strong> Counting votes in elections can be complex. By understanding the process, you’ll be able to analyze and understand the results.</li>\n<li><strong>Know who wins and why.</strong> The Australian political system is designed to produce a clear winner. Understand how this process works, as well as how it affects the actions of government.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Considering Australian political parties and you","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Parties are crucial to Australian politics and play a critical role in Australia’s democratic system. Despite common belief, all parties are not the same. Hey, you might even decide to join a political party, or even start one! Some important groups to consider include:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The major parties:</strong> Australian political history has been dominated by the Labor and Liberal parties since the end of World War II. Find out these parties’ origins and how their organizations work and affect Australian politics.</li>\n<li><strong>The minor parties:</strong> Heaps of minor parties have emerged in Australian politics, but only a handful have ever won seats in parliament. Understand what makes minor parties tick and the role they play in the policy debate.</li>\n<li><strong>Independents:</strong> Not everyone in parliament represents a party. So check out who these independents are and what they bring to Australian politics.</li>\n<li><strong>Interest groups and social movements:</strong> Not everyone wants to make their impact on politics through parliament. Get to know these organizations and see how their actions can affect policy.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"The media's role in Australian politics","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Politics is one of the most widely reported topics in the media. Examine how the different media present the news, as well as how politicians try to influence how news is reported. Understanding certain aspects of the media can help you analyze political news, including:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Political reporting:</strong> In an age of busy lifestyles, people turn to the media to get their fix of political news. Check out the ideals of the media and what influences the political news they report in practice.</li>\n<li><strong>The great debates:</strong> Debates are a great way to see how politicians perform under pressure. By transmitting and analyzing these debates, the media can play a big role in deciding which politicians trump their political opponents.</li>\n<li><strong>Who’s driving the message:</strong> Interesting recent developments have seen politicians trying to control the key messages reported by the media. Understand how politicians use media experts and spin doctors in a world where information is everywhere.</li>\n<li><strong>Which media can cut to the chase:</strong> Citizens want good-quality reporting on politics. After all, it affects almost everything in their lives. So, understand the best ways to ‘sort the wheat from the chaff’ in terms of political news.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Understanding Australian political campaigns","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>The campaign period is showtime for political parties and politicians. It provides them with the opportunity to propose the policies and changes they hope to implement if they’re elected. Some of the important aspects of the campaign period include:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Advertising:</strong> Political parties employ media experts to design campaign advertisements to be broadcast throughout the media. See how important they can be in influencing people’s voting intentions.</li>\n<li><strong>Meeting and greeting:</strong> You see them in shopping centers and railway stations, and at local sausage sizzles, and some will even knock on your door. Check out some of the ways politicians try to win your vote.</li>\n<li><strong>Targeting seats:</strong> Examine why some seats are classified as safe, marginal or swinging, and understand how outcomes in these seats shape which party wins or loses the election.</li>\n<li></li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-02-08T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209009},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2020-08-11T19:50:28+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-12-28T16:09:40+00:00","timestamp":"2022-02-24T17:07:20+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Political Science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751"},"slug":"political-science","categoryId":33751},{"name":"General (Political Science)","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33755"},"slug":"general-political-science","categoryId":33755}],"title":"What Is a Smart City?","strippedTitle":"what is a smart city?","slug":"what-is-a-smart-city","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"You may be wondering what the term smart city means. Use this guide to discover what a smart city is and what it is not, from Dummies.com.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"There may actually be no such thing as a smart city. Wait — what? That’s certainly an odd comment coming from an article about smart cities. Okay, let’s explain. There’s no such thing as a <em>completed</em> smart city. It would be difficult to find an example where all the work has been finished and the designers and implementers have, after completing their tasks, washed their hands and said, “We’re done. Voilà! Here’s your smart city.”\r\n\r\nNope. Doesn’t exist. After all, is a city <em>ever</em> completed?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_272465\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"wp-image-272465 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/smart-city.jpg\" alt=\"smart city\" width=\"556\" height=\"370\" /> ©Shutterstock/metamorworks[/caption]\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">With a few rare exceptions, cities are in a constant state of change. Whether they’re being updated and improved or expanding upward, downward, and outward (or all of these); our cities are living, evolving entities. Cities are a work in progress. They are shaped by (among many factors) community needs, by societal trends, by crisis, and by better ideas. They shrink and expand, they decline and are reborn, and they are destroyed and rebuilt. They are never finished.</p>\r\nAnd so it’s a logical return to the idea that there’s no such thing as a smart city. Instead, there are compelling and urgent needs, and a necessary response to demands, for cities that function with greater “smartness” to be smarter in all areas and in every way.\r\n\r\nA smart city isn’t a city that has merely achieved some level of satisfactory smartness. A smart city is one that identifies with the need to be smarter and then bakes that knowledge into its functioning, action-oriented DNA. It doesn’t continue to use obsolete 20th century solutions. A smart city implements 21st century solutions for 21st century problems.\r\n\r\nIf there’s one aspect of smart cities that can be chastised for continuing to cause confusion and excessive debate, it’s the absence of agreement on the definition of the term <em>smart city.</em> Here you get a brief breakdown of what constitutes a smart city and what does not.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" ><a name=\"_Toc37373811\"></a><a name=\"_Toc36731200\"></a>What a smart city is</h2>\r\nAs Sicinius, the bearded protector of the Roman people’s interests, states in Shakespeare’s play <em>Coriolanus,</em> “What is the city but the people?”\r\n\r\nIndeed, what <em>is</em> the city but the people?\r\n\r\nThis is the right place to start when discussing the future of cities. After all, cities are defined by the human experience. They exist in support of people, are the invention of people, and deeply reflect a people's culture. In Bangkok and Tokyo, the city landscapes are replete with temples, like Budapest is with hot baths, Amsterdam is with coffee shops, and Vegas is with casinos.\r\n\r\nThe feel, the look, the behavior, the heartbeat of the city — these are all a reflection of people. Cities communicate the history and life of those who live there. (Some like to say that architecture is the language of the city, which is a fitting way to look at things.)\r\n\r\nAcross the planet, cities have emerged for different reasons, and their design has been shaped by various influences. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to cities. Though they share some common needs, such as energy, transportation, communications, and sanitation, they have as many differences as similarities.\r\n\r\nSure, a city can be defined and categorized by such characteristics as its geography, governance, population, and infrastructure, but its purpose, needs, and culture cannot be so easily abstracted and normalized such that you can generalize about their nature. The uniqueness of each city must be viewed through this lens.\r\n\r\nMany cities suffer the same challenges. Finding a parking space, for example, is a universal pain. But the way problems are solved is often specific to each community. For every challenge that is similar, others are often unique.\r\n\r\nIt’s this backdrop that is essential for an understanding of how to think about smart cities. To be able to confidently say that Barcelona and Dublin are smart cities (or are becoming smarter) means that there would need to be a globally agreed-on definition and an agreed-on set of extensive standards and measurements.\r\n\r\nThese don’t exist, and they may never exist.\r\n\r\nOkay, to be fair, there are a small number of proposed and voluntary standards for smart cities. Two strong examples are:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https://www.iso.org/standard/69050.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">International Organization for Standardization (ISO), sustainable cities and communities; indicators for smart cities</a></li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/smart-cities/Smart-Cities-Standards-and-Publication/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Standards Institute, smart city standards</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe term <em>smart city</em> is much less important than the purpose of the work and the outcomes. In fact, to clear up confusion, many other terms are used that are all simply synonyms. They include connected city, hyperconnected city, intelligent city, digital city, smart community, and others. Smart city (or smart cities) is the term that has stuck.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">A smart city is defined by its people, not by some outside arbiter. If Helsinki believes that it’s creating a better quality of life for its people in its innovative use of technology, it has the right to call itself a smart city.</p>\r\nJohn Harlow, a smart city research specialist at the Emerson College Engagement Lab, states that “smartness in cities comes from people understanding what's important to them and what problems they are experiencing.”\r\n\r\nThe most basic definition of a smart city is one that responds to its citizens' needs in new and improved ways.\r\n\r\nYou’ll learn more regarding this definition shortly, but first, some additional contextual basics.\r\n\r\nThe future of humanity is firmly rooted in cities. For better or worse, as rural communities rapidly decline, immigration to cities is booming. By the end of the 21st century, all things being equal, most humans will live in urban settings. This remarkable shift will define the future more than just about anything else humans do (other than perhaps populating other planets).\r\n\r\nDespite our many misgivings, on balance, cities are largely a success story. More than anything else, they have lifted billions of people out of poverty, providing jobs, shelter, accessible healthcare, and other support systems and regulations to assist in life’s needs. Edward Glaeser, the American economist and author of <em>Triumph of the City,</em> makes a compelling case that cities are humanity’s greatest invention.\r\n\r\nBut it’s been a tough, ugly journey. The world’s early cities weren’t pleasant places for most people, and suffering was common. Fortunately, cities are now in much better shape, and an urban migrant should find options and opportunities to at least have the choice of a better life.\r\n\r\nHowever, though conditions in general are better than they’ve ever been, the challenges presented by cities today are more complex in many ways and are vastly more difficult and expensive to solve.\r\n\r\nHere’s a list of just a few of the smart city challenges awaiting solutions:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Overburdened and inefficient social support systems</li>\r\n \t<li>Transportation congestion and poor public-transport options</li>\r\n \t<li>Inequality</li>\r\n \t<li>Poverty</li>\r\n \t<li>Crime</li>\r\n \t<li>Homelessness</li>\r\n \t<li>Environmental damage</li>\r\n \t<li>Poor air quality</li>\r\n \t<li>Aging and broken infrastructure</li>\r\n \t<li>Lack of jobs</li>\r\n \t<li>Weak civic engagement</li>\r\n \t<li>Food insecurity</li>\r\n \t<li>Inclusiveness</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">This list is only a small reflection of the massive number of unique challenges that cities on every continent have to address. But it should be suggestive to you of the type of work that lies ahead.</p>\r\nAn obvious question right now is this: Why haven’t humans solved these types of problems?\r\n\r\nSome of the answer lies in leadership priorities and insufficient budgets as well as in the scale and complexity of the problems involved. Clearly, if these problems were cheaply and easily solved, they’d have been addressed by now. They are neither.\r\n\r\nHowever, the history of innovation is a reminder that humans have the capacity to solve big, intractable issues. Improved sanitation changed the trajectory of healthcare, for example, and fertilizer made food abundant. Might innovation also help with the current challenges of the world’s cities? Many would argue yes, and technology powered innovation might offer some of the best opportunities.\r\n\r\nThis kind of thinking may draw you closer to a definition of what a smart city is.\r\n\r\nThe <a href=\"https://smartcitiescouncil.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Smart Cities Council</a>, a network of companies advised by universities, laboratories, and standards bodies, maintains that smart cities embody three core values: livability, workability, and sustainability. Specifically, the council states that using technology to achieve improvements in these three areas is the definition of what a smart city needs to be.\r\n\r\nSo, considering everything you’ve learned so far, including researching the literature on the topic, what might a definition look like? Here’s a proposal:\r\n\r\nA <em>smart city</em> is an approach to urbanization that uses innovative technologies to enhance community services and economic opportunities, improves city infrastructure, reduces costs and resource consumption, and increases civic engagement.\r\n\r\nFair?\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">Many smart city definitions include references to specific technologies — often this is a mistake. The definition should be about outcomes, and it should outlive technologies that come and go. There will always be better tools in the future. Limiting a definition to tools that exist now will make any definition quickly outdated.</p>\r\nFinally, don’t lose sight of these two important qualities that are essential for smart cities:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Technology use:</strong> There are many ways to address city issues, but when technologies are used as the primary tools, this helps to make the city smarter. A smart city is a system of systems that optimizes for humans.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>People first:</strong> Don’t become too enamored by the use of technology. When deployed correctly, technology is largely invisible, or at least non-intrusive. What matters are the outcomes for people. A smart city is ultimately a human-centric endeavor.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAfter all, what is the city but the people?\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" ><a name=\"_Toc37373812\"></a><a name=\"_Toc36731201\"></a>What a smart city is not</h2>\r\nEstablishing the definition of a smart city is vital because it helps you comprehend the scope of the topic. But recognizing what a smart city is <em>not</em> also has value.\r\n\r\nHere are five things that a smart city is <em>not:</em>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>An upgrade from a dumb city:</strong> There are many smart cities events each year, and inevitably a speaker or panelist makes a joke about cities being dumb before they were smart. The joke usually draws a chuckle. Fair enough — the notion of “smart” isn’t precise enough for what it is, but it’s the title that has stuck. All cities are complex, amazing feats of human creativity. They aren’t dumb and have never been — quite the opposite. Becoming a smart city is more about becoming smarter in the use of technology to make what the city does better and to provide solutions to problems that traditionally have been difficult to solve.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">One last, related point on this topic. One point of view is that a smart city can exist only with smart people. This perspective is far from fair or inclusive. Communities are made up of all types of people, and everyone, if they choose, has something to contribute.</p>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">When building smart cities, ensure that all your efforts and experiences embrace the majesty of all people. You should, in fact, add this as a goal in your strategy.</p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>A surveillance city: </strong>Implementing a smart city should not mean the end of privacy for its residents, businesses, and visitors. It’s true that smart cities deploy sensors in support of their efforts — possibly for monitoring air and water quality, improved traffic management, noise detection, energy management, and much more. It’s important to acknowledge privacy concerns where they arise, and city leaders need to listen carefully and respond with assurances. However, you should recognize that these efforts are made to improve services, not to impinge on privacy or create a surveillance city where everyone is being monitored. In developing and executing on a smart city strategy, stakeholders must <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/programming/big-data/data-science/the-ethics-of-artificial-intelligence/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ensure that privacy is upheld</a>, data is anonymized, and the community is engaged in the process to provide transparency and build confidence.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Deploying smart city technology that includes sensors should be specifically and carefully regulated by rules — even legislation — in order to protect the community. Make that a priority.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>A strategy about gadgets and apps:</strong> Yes, technology is definitely at the center of developing a smart city, but if you look at many of the vendors in this emerging space, you can easily believe that the subject is really all about cool new toys and apps. Sure, plenty of those are available. However, transforming a city, solving complex challenges, and creating a higher quality of life for the greatest number of people are goals that require comprehensive changes in processes, rules, technologies, and the talent and skills to plan and implement it. Don’t be distracted by novel, piecemeal solutions. Sure, consider those factors in the mix, but recognize that creating a smart city is an undertaking that requires a significant focus on technology strategy, extensive solutions architecture, and systems integration.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Remind yourself (and others) often that smart cities are about people, not technology.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>A temporary technology trend:</strong> You might believe that the smart city movement is a recent development, perhaps just two or three years old. In reality, applying technology to make cities operate better has been under way for several decades. It isn’t possible to determine the first-ever use of the term <em>smart city,</em> but it certainly has references at least to the early 1990s. Even with a reasonably long history already, the real action of smart cities is happening now, and the most significant results will be seen in the years ahead. More than some sort of temporary trend, for cities to function well and bring a high quality of life to as many people as necessary, the smart city movement will last for multiple decades. Though the smart city concept may change over time, the goal doesn’t really have an expiration date. For many skeptical city leaders, it’s time to shrug off the belief that it’s a passing fad and get on board to embrace the benefits of urban innovation.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>A concept that matters only to big cities:</strong> If you review the literature on smart cities, it certainly would appear that only big cities can be smart cities. The same names pop up all the time: London, Paris, Moscow, Melbourne, Dublin, Vienna, Barcelona, San Francisco, and others. Sure, these incredible cities have impressive smart city initiatives, but any city can pursue the goal of becoming smarter. After all, most cities in the world today are small. The big ones are the outliers.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nInterested in learning more? Check out our <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/academics-the-arts/political-science/general-political-science/smart-cities-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-271876\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Smart Cities Cheat Sheet</a>.","description":"There may actually be no such thing as a smart city. Wait — what? That’s certainly an odd comment coming from an article about smart cities. Okay, let’s explain. There’s no such thing as a <em>completed</em> smart city. It would be difficult to find an example where all the work has been finished and the designers and implementers have, after completing their tasks, washed their hands and said, “We’re done. Voilà! Here’s your smart city.”\r\n\r\nNope. Doesn’t exist. After all, is a city <em>ever</em> completed?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_272465\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"wp-image-272465 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/smart-city.jpg\" alt=\"smart city\" width=\"556\" height=\"370\" /> ©Shutterstock/metamorworks[/caption]\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">With a few rare exceptions, cities are in a constant state of change. Whether they’re being updated and improved or expanding upward, downward, and outward (or all of these); our cities are living, evolving entities. Cities are a work in progress. They are shaped by (among many factors) community needs, by societal trends, by crisis, and by better ideas. They shrink and expand, they decline and are reborn, and they are destroyed and rebuilt. They are never finished.</p>\r\nAnd so it’s a logical return to the idea that there’s no such thing as a smart city. Instead, there are compelling and urgent needs, and a necessary response to demands, for cities that function with greater “smartness” to be smarter in all areas and in every way.\r\n\r\nA smart city isn’t a city that has merely achieved some level of satisfactory smartness. A smart city is one that identifies with the need to be smarter and then bakes that knowledge into its functioning, action-oriented DNA. It doesn’t continue to use obsolete 20th century solutions. A smart city implements 21st century solutions for 21st century problems.\r\n\r\nIf there’s one aspect of smart cities that can be chastised for continuing to cause confusion and excessive debate, it’s the absence of agreement on the definition of the term <em>smart city.</em> Here you get a brief breakdown of what constitutes a smart city and what does not.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" ><a name=\"_Toc37373811\"></a><a name=\"_Toc36731200\"></a>What a smart city is</h2>\r\nAs Sicinius, the bearded protector of the Roman people’s interests, states in Shakespeare’s play <em>Coriolanus,</em> “What is the city but the people?”\r\n\r\nIndeed, what <em>is</em> the city but the people?\r\n\r\nThis is the right place to start when discussing the future of cities. After all, cities are defined by the human experience. They exist in support of people, are the invention of people, and deeply reflect a people's culture. In Bangkok and Tokyo, the city landscapes are replete with temples, like Budapest is with hot baths, Amsterdam is with coffee shops, and Vegas is with casinos.\r\n\r\nThe feel, the look, the behavior, the heartbeat of the city — these are all a reflection of people. Cities communicate the history and life of those who live there. (Some like to say that architecture is the language of the city, which is a fitting way to look at things.)\r\n\r\nAcross the planet, cities have emerged for different reasons, and their design has been shaped by various influences. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to cities. Though they share some common needs, such as energy, transportation, communications, and sanitation, they have as many differences as similarities.\r\n\r\nSure, a city can be defined and categorized by such characteristics as its geography, governance, population, and infrastructure, but its purpose, needs, and culture cannot be so easily abstracted and normalized such that you can generalize about their nature. The uniqueness of each city must be viewed through this lens.\r\n\r\nMany cities suffer the same challenges. Finding a parking space, for example, is a universal pain. But the way problems are solved is often specific to each community. For every challenge that is similar, others are often unique.\r\n\r\nIt’s this backdrop that is essential for an understanding of how to think about smart cities. To be able to confidently say that Barcelona and Dublin are smart cities (or are becoming smarter) means that there would need to be a globally agreed-on definition and an agreed-on set of extensive standards and measurements.\r\n\r\nThese don’t exist, and they may never exist.\r\n\r\nOkay, to be fair, there are a small number of proposed and voluntary standards for smart cities. Two strong examples are:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https://www.iso.org/standard/69050.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">International Organization for Standardization (ISO), sustainable cities and communities; indicators for smart cities</a></li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/smart-cities/Smart-Cities-Standards-and-Publication/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Standards Institute, smart city standards</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe term <em>smart city</em> is much less important than the purpose of the work and the outcomes. In fact, to clear up confusion, many other terms are used that are all simply synonyms. They include connected city, hyperconnected city, intelligent city, digital city, smart community, and others. Smart city (or smart cities) is the term that has stuck.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">A smart city is defined by its people, not by some outside arbiter. If Helsinki believes that it’s creating a better quality of life for its people in its innovative use of technology, it has the right to call itself a smart city.</p>\r\nJohn Harlow, a smart city research specialist at the Emerson College Engagement Lab, states that “smartness in cities comes from people understanding what's important to them and what problems they are experiencing.”\r\n\r\nThe most basic definition of a smart city is one that responds to its citizens' needs in new and improved ways.\r\n\r\nYou’ll learn more regarding this definition shortly, but first, some additional contextual basics.\r\n\r\nThe future of humanity is firmly rooted in cities. For better or worse, as rural communities rapidly decline, immigration to cities is booming. By the end of the 21st century, all things being equal, most humans will live in urban settings. This remarkable shift will define the future more than just about anything else humans do (other than perhaps populating other planets).\r\n\r\nDespite our many misgivings, on balance, cities are largely a success story. More than anything else, they have lifted billions of people out of poverty, providing jobs, shelter, accessible healthcare, and other support systems and regulations to assist in life’s needs. Edward Glaeser, the American economist and author of <em>Triumph of the City,</em> makes a compelling case that cities are humanity’s greatest invention.\r\n\r\nBut it’s been a tough, ugly journey. The world’s early cities weren’t pleasant places for most people, and suffering was common. Fortunately, cities are now in much better shape, and an urban migrant should find options and opportunities to at least have the choice of a better life.\r\n\r\nHowever, though conditions in general are better than they’ve ever been, the challenges presented by cities today are more complex in many ways and are vastly more difficult and expensive to solve.\r\n\r\nHere’s a list of just a few of the smart city challenges awaiting solutions:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Overburdened and inefficient social support systems</li>\r\n \t<li>Transportation congestion and poor public-transport options</li>\r\n \t<li>Inequality</li>\r\n \t<li>Poverty</li>\r\n \t<li>Crime</li>\r\n \t<li>Homelessness</li>\r\n \t<li>Environmental damage</li>\r\n \t<li>Poor air quality</li>\r\n \t<li>Aging and broken infrastructure</li>\r\n \t<li>Lack of jobs</li>\r\n \t<li>Weak civic engagement</li>\r\n \t<li>Food insecurity</li>\r\n \t<li>Inclusiveness</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">This list is only a small reflection of the massive number of unique challenges that cities on every continent have to address. But it should be suggestive to you of the type of work that lies ahead.</p>\r\nAn obvious question right now is this: Why haven’t humans solved these types of problems?\r\n\r\nSome of the answer lies in leadership priorities and insufficient budgets as well as in the scale and complexity of the problems involved. Clearly, if these problems were cheaply and easily solved, they’d have been addressed by now. They are neither.\r\n\r\nHowever, the history of innovation is a reminder that humans have the capacity to solve big, intractable issues. Improved sanitation changed the trajectory of healthcare, for example, and fertilizer made food abundant. Might innovation also help with the current challenges of the world’s cities? Many would argue yes, and technology powered innovation might offer some of the best opportunities.\r\n\r\nThis kind of thinking may draw you closer to a definition of what a smart city is.\r\n\r\nThe <a href=\"https://smartcitiescouncil.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Smart Cities Council</a>, a network of companies advised by universities, laboratories, and standards bodies, maintains that smart cities embody three core values: livability, workability, and sustainability. Specifically, the council states that using technology to achieve improvements in these three areas is the definition of what a smart city needs to be.\r\n\r\nSo, considering everything you’ve learned so far, including researching the literature on the topic, what might a definition look like? Here’s a proposal:\r\n\r\nA <em>smart city</em> is an approach to urbanization that uses innovative technologies to enhance community services and economic opportunities, improves city infrastructure, reduces costs and resource consumption, and increases civic engagement.\r\n\r\nFair?\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">Many smart city definitions include references to specific technologies — often this is a mistake. The definition should be about outcomes, and it should outlive technologies that come and go. There will always be better tools in the future. Limiting a definition to tools that exist now will make any definition quickly outdated.</p>\r\nFinally, don’t lose sight of these two important qualities that are essential for smart cities:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Technology use:</strong> There are many ways to address city issues, but when technologies are used as the primary tools, this helps to make the city smarter. A smart city is a system of systems that optimizes for humans.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>People first:</strong> Don’t become too enamored by the use of technology. When deployed correctly, technology is largely invisible, or at least non-intrusive. What matters are the outcomes for people. A smart city is ultimately a human-centric endeavor.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAfter all, what is the city but the people?\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" ><a name=\"_Toc37373812\"></a><a name=\"_Toc36731201\"></a>What a smart city is not</h2>\r\nEstablishing the definition of a smart city is vital because it helps you comprehend the scope of the topic. But recognizing what a smart city is <em>not</em> also has value.\r\n\r\nHere are five things that a smart city is <em>not:</em>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>An upgrade from a dumb city:</strong> There are many smart cities events each year, and inevitably a speaker or panelist makes a joke about cities being dumb before they were smart. The joke usually draws a chuckle. Fair enough — the notion of “smart” isn’t precise enough for what it is, but it’s the title that has stuck. All cities are complex, amazing feats of human creativity. They aren’t dumb and have never been — quite the opposite. Becoming a smart city is more about becoming smarter in the use of technology to make what the city does better and to provide solutions to problems that traditionally have been difficult to solve.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">One last, related point on this topic. One point of view is that a smart city can exist only with smart people. This perspective is far from fair or inclusive. Communities are made up of all types of people, and everyone, if they choose, has something to contribute.</p>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">When building smart cities, ensure that all your efforts and experiences embrace the majesty of all people. You should, in fact, add this as a goal in your strategy.</p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>A surveillance city: </strong>Implementing a smart city should not mean the end of privacy for its residents, businesses, and visitors. It’s true that smart cities deploy sensors in support of their efforts — possibly for monitoring air and water quality, improved traffic management, noise detection, energy management, and much more. It’s important to acknowledge privacy concerns where they arise, and city leaders need to listen carefully and respond with assurances. However, you should recognize that these efforts are made to improve services, not to impinge on privacy or create a surveillance city where everyone is being monitored. In developing and executing on a smart city strategy, stakeholders must <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/programming/big-data/data-science/the-ethics-of-artificial-intelligence/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ensure that privacy is upheld</a>, data is anonymized, and the community is engaged in the process to provide transparency and build confidence.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Deploying smart city technology that includes sensors should be specifically and carefully regulated by rules — even legislation — in order to protect the community. Make that a priority.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>A strategy about gadgets and apps:</strong> Yes, technology is definitely at the center of developing a smart city, but if you look at many of the vendors in this emerging space, you can easily believe that the subject is really all about cool new toys and apps. Sure, plenty of those are available. However, transforming a city, solving complex challenges, and creating a higher quality of life for the greatest number of people are goals that require comprehensive changes in processes, rules, technologies, and the talent and skills to plan and implement it. Don’t be distracted by novel, piecemeal solutions. Sure, consider those factors in the mix, but recognize that creating a smart city is an undertaking that requires a significant focus on technology strategy, extensive solutions architecture, and systems integration.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Remind yourself (and others) often that smart cities are about people, not technology.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>A temporary technology trend:</strong> You might believe that the smart city movement is a recent development, perhaps just two or three years old. In reality, applying technology to make cities operate better has been under way for several decades. It isn’t possible to determine the first-ever use of the term <em>smart city,</em> but it certainly has references at least to the early 1990s. Even with a reasonably long history already, the real action of smart cities is happening now, and the most significant results will be seen in the years ahead. More than some sort of temporary trend, for cities to function well and bring a high quality of life to as many people as necessary, the smart city movement will last for multiple decades. Though the smart city concept may change over time, the goal doesn’t really have an expiration date. For many skeptical city leaders, it’s time to shrug off the belief that it’s a passing fad and get on board to embrace the benefits of urban innovation.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>A concept that matters only to big cities:</strong> If you review the literature on smart cities, it certainly would appear that only big cities can be smart cities. The same names pop up all the time: London, Paris, Moscow, Melbourne, Dublin, Vienna, Barcelona, San Francisco, and others. Sure, these incredible cities have impressive smart city initiatives, but any city can pursue the goal of becoming smarter. After all, most cities in the world today are small. The big ones are the outliers.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nInterested in learning more? Check out our <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/academics-the-arts/political-science/general-political-science/smart-cities-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-271876\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Smart Cities Cheat Sheet</a>.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":33378,"name":"Jonathan Reichental","slug":"jonathan-reichental","description":"Jonathan Reichental, PhD, is a multiple-award-winning technology and business leader whose career has spanned both the private and public sectors. He's been a senior software engineering manager, a director of technology innovation, and has served as chief information officer at both O'Reilly Media and the city of Palo Alto, California.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/33378"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33755,"title":"General (Political Science)","slug":"general-political-science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33755"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"What a smart city is","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"What a smart city is not","target":"#tab2"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":273087,"title":"Becoming City-Data-Savvy to Develop a Smart City","slug":"becoming-city-data-savvy-to-develop-a-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/273087"}},{"articleId":273081,"title":"How to Implement Data Governance in a Smart City","slug":"how-to-implement-data-governance-in-a-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/273081"}},{"articleId":272908,"title":"Building a Smart City Plan","slug":"building-a-smart-city-plan","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272908"}},{"articleId":272903,"title":"Establishing a Vision for Your Smart City","slug":"establishing-a-vision-for-your-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272903"}},{"articleId":272897,"title":"Project Management and Governance for Your Smart City Plan","slug":"project-management-and-governance-for-your-smart-city-plan","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272897"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":273087,"title":"Becoming City-Data-Savvy to Develop a Smart City","slug":"becoming-city-data-savvy-to-develop-a-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/273087"}},{"articleId":273081,"title":"How to Implement Data Governance in a Smart City","slug":"how-to-implement-data-governance-in-a-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/273081"}},{"articleId":272908,"title":"Building a Smart City Plan","slug":"building-a-smart-city-plan","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272908"}},{"articleId":272903,"title":"Establishing a Vision for Your Smart City","slug":"establishing-a-vision-for-your-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272903"}},{"articleId":272897,"title":"Project Management and Governance for Your Smart City Plan","slug":"project-management-and-governance-for-your-smart-city-plan","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272897"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281866,"slug":"smart-cities-for-dummies","isbn":"9781119679943","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/111967994X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/111967994X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/111967994X-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/111967994X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/111967994X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/smart-cities-for-dummies-cover-9781119679943-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Smart Cities For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b data-author-id=\"33378\">Dr. Jonathan Reichental</b> is a multiple-award-winning technology and business leader whose career has spanned both the private and public sectors. He's been a senior software engineering manager, a director of technology innovation, and has served as chief information officer at both O'Reilly Media and the city of Palo Alto, California. He also creates online education for LinkedIn Learning and others. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":33378,"name":"Jonathan Reichental","slug":"jonathan-reichental","description":"Jonathan Reichental, PhD, is a multiple-award-winning technology and business leader whose career has spanned both the private and public sectors. He's been a senior software engineering manager, a director of technology innovation, and has served as chief information officer at both O'Reilly Media and the city of Palo Alto, California.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/33378"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;general-political-science&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119679943&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6217bb488e815\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;general-political-science&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119679943&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6217bb488f193\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"One year","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-06-01T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":272464},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T10:55:21+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-10-15T18:22:28+00:00","timestamp":"2022-02-24T17:07:03+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Political Science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751"},"slug":"political-science","categoryId":33751}],"title":"The 7 Articles of the U.S. Constitution","strippedTitle":"the 7 articles of the u.s. constitution","slug":"the-7-articles-of-the-us-constitution","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Get familiar with the different sections (aka Articles) of the document that helped found the United States: the Constitution.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"To understand the United States of America, start with the Constitution. Written over 200 years ago, when the nation was first being established out of the 13 British colonies, this document is a blueprint. Its seven sections (or articles) detail the core components of how the framers wanted the government to run the country. (See <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/education/politics-government/u-s-constitution-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. Constitution For Dummies Cheat Sheet</a>.)\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Article I – The Legislative Branch.</b> The principal mission of the legislative branch is to make laws. It is split into two different chambers <b>– </b>the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress is a legislative body that holds the power to draft and pass legislation, borrow money for the nation, declare war, and raise a military. It also has the power to check and balance the other two federal branches.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Article II – The Executive Branch.</b> This branch of the government manages the day-to-day operations of government through various federal departments and agencies, such as the Department of Treasury. At the head of this branch is the nationally elected president of the United States.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">The president swears an oath to \"faithfully execute\" the responsibilities as president and to \"preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.\" The executive branch powers include making treaties with other nations, appointing federal judges, department heads, and ambassadors, and determining how to best run the country and military operations.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Article III – <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/education/politics-government/meeting-the-third-branch-of-u-s-government-the-supreme-court/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Judicial Branch</a>.</b> Article III outlines the powers of the federal court system. The article states that the court of last resort is the U.S. Supreme Court and that the U.S. Congress has the power to determine the size and scope of those courts below it. All judges are appointed for life unless they resign or are charged with bad behavior. Those facing charges are to be tried and judged by a jury of their peers.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Article IV – The States.</b> This article defines the relationship between the states and the federal government. The federal government guarantees a republican form of government in each state, protects the nation and the people from foreign or domestic violence, and determines how new states can join the Union. It also suggests that all the states are equal to each other and should respect each other’s laws and the judicial decisions made by other state court systems.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Article V – Amendment.</b> Future generations can amend the Constitution if the society so requires it. Both the states and Congress have the power to initiate the amendment process.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Article VI – Debts, Supremacy, Oaths.</b> Article VI determines that the U.S. Constitution, and all laws made from it, are the \"supreme Law of the Land,\" and all officials, whether members of the state legislatures, Congress, judiciary, or the executive branch, have to swear an oath to the Constitution.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Article VII – Ratification.</b> This article details all those people who signed the Constitution, representing the original 13 states.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>","description":"To understand the United States of America, start with the Constitution. Written over 200 years ago, when the nation was first being established out of the 13 British colonies, this document is a blueprint. Its seven sections (or articles) detail the core components of how the framers wanted the government to run the country. (See <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/education/politics-government/u-s-constitution-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. Constitution For Dummies Cheat Sheet</a>.)\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Article I – The Legislative Branch.</b> The principal mission of the legislative branch is to make laws. It is split into two different chambers <b>– </b>the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress is a legislative body that holds the power to draft and pass legislation, borrow money for the nation, declare war, and raise a military. It also has the power to check and balance the other two federal branches.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Article II – The Executive Branch.</b> This branch of the government manages the day-to-day operations of government through various federal departments and agencies, such as the Department of Treasury. At the head of this branch is the nationally elected president of the United States.</p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">The president swears an oath to \"faithfully execute\" the responsibilities as president and to \"preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.\" The executive branch powers include making treaties with other nations, appointing federal judges, department heads, and ambassadors, and determining how to best run the country and military operations.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Article III – <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/education/politics-government/meeting-the-third-branch-of-u-s-government-the-supreme-court/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Judicial Branch</a>.</b> Article III outlines the powers of the federal court system. The article states that the court of last resort is the U.S. Supreme Court and that the U.S. Congress has the power to determine the size and scope of those courts below it. All judges are appointed for life unless they resign or are charged with bad behavior. Those facing charges are to be tried and judged by a jury of their peers.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Article IV – The States.</b> This article defines the relationship between the states and the federal government. The federal government guarantees a republican form of government in each state, protects the nation and the people from foreign or domestic violence, and determines how new states can join the Union. It also suggests that all the states are equal to each other and should respect each other’s laws and the judicial decisions made by other state court systems.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Article V – Amendment.</b> Future generations can amend the Constitution if the society so requires it. Both the states and Congress have the power to initiate the amendment process.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Article VI – Debts, Supremacy, Oaths.</b> Article VI determines that the U.S. Constitution, and all laws made from it, are the \"supreme Law of the Land,\" and all officials, whether members of the state legislatures, Congress, judiciary, or the executive branch, have to swear an oath to the Constitution.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Article VII – Ratification.</b> This article details all those people who signed the Constitution, representing the original 13 states.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33751,"title":"Political Science","slug":"political-science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":230574,"title":"What’s the Electoral College?","slug":"whats-electoral-college","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/230574"}},{"articleId":202872,"title":"Treasury Bill Investments Backed by U.S. Government","slug":"treasury-bill-investments-backed-by-u-s-government","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/202872"}},{"articleId":200176,"title":"Evaluating U.S. Presidents","slug":"evaluating-u-s-presidents","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200176"}},{"articleId":200000,"title":"Getting to Know the U.S. Court Systems","slug":"getting-to-know-the-u-s-court-systems","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200000"}},{"articleId":199832,"title":"Meeting the Third Branch of U.S. Government: The Supreme Court","slug":"meeting-the-third-branch-of-u-s-government-the-supreme-court","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199832"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6217bb3800150\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6217bb3800c36\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-09-17T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":149118},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2021-06-18T17:45:25+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-07-13T17:22:04+00:00","timestamp":"2022-02-24T17:06:46+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Political Science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751"},"slug":"political-science","categoryId":33751},{"name":"American Government","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34474"},"slug":"american-government","categoryId":34474}],"title":"The History behind Juneteenth","strippedTitle":"the history behind juneteenth","slug":"the-history-behind-juneteenth","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"President Joe Biden has signed a bill making June 19 an annual federal holiday in the United States. Here's the history of Juneteenth.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed <a href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/06/18/a-proclamation-on-juneteenth-day-of-observance-2021/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a bill</a> making June 19 an annual federal holiday in the United States. The day has come to be known as \"Juneteenth,\" a mashup of \"June\" and \"nineteenth,\" and has been celebrated as the end of legal enslavement in the United States.\r\n\r\nThe holiday recognizes the day in 1865 when Union army soldiers, led by Gen. Gordon Granger, told enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, that the Civil War was over and they'd been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln in 1863. The unconfirmed story is that enslaved people held in that coastal city were the last to learn of the end of the war — and the end of legal enslavement.\r\n\r\n“Great nations don’t ignore their most painful moments,” President Biden said during the signing ceremony at the White House. “They don’t ignore those moments of the past. They embrace them. Great nations don’t walk away. We come to terms with the mistakes we made. And in remembering those moments, we begin to heal and grow stronger.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_286107\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"710\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-286107\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/juneteenth-emancipation-day-historic-photo.jpg\" alt=\"Juneteenth Emancipation Day historic photo\" width=\"710\" height=\"509\" /> “Officers of the day” at a Juneteenth Emancipation Day celebration in Austin, Texas, June 19, 1900. Photo: PICA-05484 Austin History Center, Austin Public Library[/caption]\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Key events that made the holiday possible</h2>\r\nJuneteenth celebrations have occurred for more than 150 years before the day became a federal holiday. But the day drew widespread public attention in 2020. Civil rights protests following the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25, 2020, raised awareness of Juneteenth. Then, public outcry over a campaign event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, scheduled for June 19, 2020, by then-US President Donald Trump, captured national media attention. Trump’s opponents argued that holding the event on that date in that city, where a massacre of Black citizens happened in 1921, sent a cynical message.\r\n\r\nThough Trump canceled the event, the significance of Juneteenth became known to many Americans for the first time. Major US companies including Nike, Twitter, Target, and John Wiley & Sons (home of <em>For Dummies</em>) offered the day as a holiday for employees that year.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tech\">With signature of the bill marking Juneteenth as a holiday, June 19 became the 12th federal holiday — a holiday in which all nonessential federal employees are given a paid holiday (lucky them) and financial markets are closed. Juneteenth joins New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas as fixed-date holidays, or holidays that are celebrated on either the same calendar date or the closest weekday if the date falls on Saturday or Sunday. The United States celebrated the first federal Juneteenth holiday on Friday, June 18, 2021, because June 19 fell on a Saturday that year.</p>\r\nAs of the 2021 signing of the bill declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday, 49 states formally observe or celebrate the day in some way; eight states include it as a paid holiday for nonessential state employees.\r\n\r\nThe holiday's new official name is Juneteenth National Independence Day. And it is the second annual celebration of independence in the United States, the first being Independence Day on July 4. That observance marks the day the 13 English colonies in North America ratified the Declaration of Independence, announcing their separation from English rule. Juneteenth National Independence Day commemorates when independence extended to everyone in the United States and freed nearly 4 million people from enslavement.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >The long wait for freedom and citizenship</h2>\r\nAlthough the Juneteenth holiday has traditionally celebrated the end of enslavement of Black people in the United States, slavery did not formally come to an end nationwide until the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the US Constitution on December 18, 1865. Before that amendment abolished slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation had freed only enslaved people in the states that seceded from the United States at the beginning of the Civil War.\r\n\r\nThe legal status of people enslaved in states that didn’t secede but allowed enslavement — Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware — was unclear until the Thirteenth Amendment passed. Enslavement was not fully banned in the United States until 1866 when treaties with Native American tribes formally ended enslavement in territories controlled by those tribes. Finally, formerly enslaved people did not legally become US citizens with full protection under the law until ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment on July 28, 1868.\r\n\r\nThere's still debate over the date when legal enslavement of Black people in the United States actually ended. But, whatever the actual date, Juneteenth now marks the end of that painful period of US history.\r\n<div class=\"article-tips warning\">\r\n\r\nJune 19 is the 12th federal holiday; all nonessential federal employees get a paid holiday (lucky them) and financial markets are closed. Juneteenth joins New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas as fixed-date holidays, or holidays that are celebrated on either the same calendar date or the closest weekday if the date falls on Saturday or Sunday. The United States celebrated the first federal Juneteenth holiday on Friday, June 18, 2021, because June 19 fell on a Saturday that year.\r\n\r\nA 2017 survey revealed fewer than half of employees of private businesses received paid time off for minor federal holidays such as Presidents Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day. Check your employer’s time-off policy before you schedule time to visit your public library to read up on Black American history next Juneteenth. (And may we suggest <a href=\"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119780853/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Black American History For Dummies</em></a> as an excellent starting place for your studies.)\r\n\r\n</div>","description":"On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed <a href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/06/18/a-proclamation-on-juneteenth-day-of-observance-2021/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a bill</a> making June 19 an annual federal holiday in the United States. The day has come to be known as \"Juneteenth,\" a mashup of \"June\" and \"nineteenth,\" and has been celebrated as the end of legal enslavement in the United States.\r\n\r\nThe holiday recognizes the day in 1865 when Union army soldiers, led by Gen. Gordon Granger, told enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, that the Civil War was over and they'd been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln in 1863. The unconfirmed story is that enslaved people held in that coastal city were the last to learn of the end of the war — and the end of legal enslavement.\r\n\r\n“Great nations don’t ignore their most painful moments,” President Biden said during the signing ceremony at the White House. “They don’t ignore those moments of the past. They embrace them. Great nations don’t walk away. We come to terms with the mistakes we made. And in remembering those moments, we begin to heal and grow stronger.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_286107\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"710\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-286107\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/juneteenth-emancipation-day-historic-photo.jpg\" alt=\"Juneteenth Emancipation Day historic photo\" width=\"710\" height=\"509\" /> “Officers of the day” at a Juneteenth Emancipation Day celebration in Austin, Texas, June 19, 1900. Photo: PICA-05484 Austin History Center, Austin Public Library[/caption]\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Key events that made the holiday possible</h2>\r\nJuneteenth celebrations have occurred for more than 150 years before the day became a federal holiday. But the day drew widespread public attention in 2020. Civil rights protests following the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25, 2020, raised awareness of Juneteenth. Then, public outcry over a campaign event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, scheduled for June 19, 2020, by then-US President Donald Trump, captured national media attention. Trump’s opponents argued that holding the event on that date in that city, where a massacre of Black citizens happened in 1921, sent a cynical message.\r\n\r\nThough Trump canceled the event, the significance of Juneteenth became known to many Americans for the first time. Major US companies including Nike, Twitter, Target, and John Wiley & Sons (home of <em>For Dummies</em>) offered the day as a holiday for employees that year.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tech\">With signature of the bill marking Juneteenth as a holiday, June 19 became the 12th federal holiday — a holiday in which all nonessential federal employees are given a paid holiday (lucky them) and financial markets are closed. Juneteenth joins New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas as fixed-date holidays, or holidays that are celebrated on either the same calendar date or the closest weekday if the date falls on Saturday or Sunday. The United States celebrated the first federal Juneteenth holiday on Friday, June 18, 2021, because June 19 fell on a Saturday that year.</p>\r\nAs of the 2021 signing of the bill declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday, 49 states formally observe or celebrate the day in some way; eight states include it as a paid holiday for nonessential state employees.\r\n\r\nThe holiday's new official name is Juneteenth National Independence Day. And it is the second annual celebration of independence in the United States, the first being Independence Day on July 4. That observance marks the day the 13 English colonies in North America ratified the Declaration of Independence, announcing their separation from English rule. Juneteenth National Independence Day commemorates when independence extended to everyone in the United States and freed nearly 4 million people from enslavement.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >The long wait for freedom and citizenship</h2>\r\nAlthough the Juneteenth holiday has traditionally celebrated the end of enslavement of Black people in the United States, slavery did not formally come to an end nationwide until the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the US Constitution on December 18, 1865. Before that amendment abolished slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation had freed only enslaved people in the states that seceded from the United States at the beginning of the Civil War.\r\n\r\nThe legal status of people enslaved in states that didn’t secede but allowed enslavement — Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware — was unclear until the Thirteenth Amendment passed. Enslavement was not fully banned in the United States until 1866 when treaties with Native American tribes formally ended enslavement in territories controlled by those tribes. Finally, formerly enslaved people did not legally become US citizens with full protection under the law until ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment on July 28, 1868.\r\n\r\nThere's still debate over the date when legal enslavement of Black people in the United States actually ended. But, whatever the actual date, Juneteenth now marks the end of that painful period of US history.\r\n<div class=\"article-tips warning\">\r\n\r\nJune 19 is the 12th federal holiday; all nonessential federal employees get a paid holiday (lucky them) and financial markets are closed. Juneteenth joins New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas as fixed-date holidays, or holidays that are celebrated on either the same calendar date or the closest weekday if the date falls on Saturday or Sunday. The United States celebrated the first federal Juneteenth holiday on Friday, June 18, 2021, because June 19 fell on a Saturday that year.\r\n\r\nA 2017 survey revealed fewer than half of employees of private businesses received paid time off for minor federal holidays such as Presidents Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day. Check your employer’s time-off policy before you schedule time to visit your public library to read up on Black American history next Juneteenth. (And may we suggest <a href=\"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119780853/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Black American History For Dummies</em></a> as an excellent starting place for your studies.)\r\n\r\n</div>","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":34474,"title":"American Government","slug":"american-government","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34474"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"Key events that made the holiday possible","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"The long wait for freedom and citizenship","target":"#tab2"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":267939,"title":"10 Things to Teach Your Children About Politics","slug":"10-things-to-teach-your-children-about-politics","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267939"}},{"articleId":267936,"title":"How the Electoral College Affected the 2000 and 2016 Elections","slug":"how-the-electoral-college-affected-the-2000-and-2016-elections","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267936"}},{"articleId":267933,"title":"Do Elected Officials Care What You Think?","slug":"do-elected-officials-care-what-you-think","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267933"}},{"articleId":267921,"title":"National Party Conventions","slug":"national-party-conventions","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267921"}},{"articleId":209102,"title":"Congress For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"congress-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209102"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;american-government&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6217bb26b6013\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;american-government&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6217bb26b69b3\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"One year","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-06-18T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":286111},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2020-07-07T18:51:42+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-03-14T17:50:44+00:00","timestamp":"2022-02-24T17:06:14+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Political Science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751"},"slug":"political-science","categoryId":33751},{"name":"General (Political Science)","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33755"},"slug":"general-political-science","categoryId":33755}],"title":"Smart Cities For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"smart cities for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"smart-cities-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Use these techniques to fall in love with your city. Also explore ways to measure progress in implementing a smart city strategy.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Human destiny is tied to cities. If we humans are going to have a happy and prosperous future, we need new ideas, skilled talent, and informed leaders to <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/green-living/urban-planning-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\">build the cities of tomorrow</a>. Everyone deserves a good quality of life. Smart cities can help make that happen. Find out how.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_271877\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-271877\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/smart-cities-concept.jpg\" alt=\"smart cities concept\" width=\"556\" height=\"371\" /> ©THINK A/Shutterstock.com[/caption]","description":"Human destiny is tied to cities. If we humans are going to have a happy and prosperous future, we need new ideas, skilled talent, and informed leaders to <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/green-living/urban-planning-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\">build the cities of tomorrow</a>. Everyone deserves a good quality of life. Smart cities can help make that happen. Find out how.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_271877\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-271877\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/smart-cities-concept.jpg\" alt=\"smart cities concept\" width=\"556\" height=\"371\" /> ©THINK A/Shutterstock.com[/caption]","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33755,"title":"General (Political Science)","slug":"general-political-science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33755"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":273087,"title":"Becoming City-Data-Savvy to Develop a Smart City","slug":"becoming-city-data-savvy-to-develop-a-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/273087"}},{"articleId":273081,"title":"How to Implement Data Governance in a Smart City","slug":"how-to-implement-data-governance-in-a-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/273081"}},{"articleId":272908,"title":"Building a Smart City Plan","slug":"building-a-smart-city-plan","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272908"}},{"articleId":272903,"title":"Establishing a Vision for Your Smart City","slug":"establishing-a-vision-for-your-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272903"}},{"articleId":272897,"title":"Project Management and Governance for Your Smart City Plan","slug":"project-management-and-governance-for-your-smart-city-plan","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272897"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":273087,"title":"Becoming City-Data-Savvy to Develop a Smart City","slug":"becoming-city-data-savvy-to-develop-a-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/273087"}},{"articleId":273081,"title":"How to Implement Data Governance in a Smart City","slug":"how-to-implement-data-governance-in-a-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/273081"}},{"articleId":272908,"title":"Building a Smart City Plan","slug":"building-a-smart-city-plan","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272908"}},{"articleId":272903,"title":"Establishing a Vision for Your Smart City","slug":"establishing-a-vision-for-your-smart-city","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272903"}},{"articleId":272897,"title":"Project Management and Governance for Your Smart City Plan","slug":"project-management-and-governance-for-your-smart-city-plan","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/272897"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281866,"slug":"smart-cities-for-dummies","isbn":"9781119679943","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","general-political-science"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/111967994X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/111967994X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/111967994X-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/111967994X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/111967994X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/smart-cities-for-dummies-cover-9781119679943-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Smart Cities For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b data-author-id=\"33378\">Dr. Jonathan Reichental</b> is a multiple-award-winning technology and business leader whose career has spanned both the private and public sectors. He's been a senior software engineering manager, a director of technology innovation, and has served as chief information officer at both O'Reilly Media and the city of Palo Alto, California. He also creates online education for LinkedIn Learning and others. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":33378,"name":"Jonathan Reichental","slug":"jonathan-reichental","description":"Jonathan Reichental, PhD, is a multiple-award-winning technology and business leader whose career has spanned both the private and public sectors. He's been a senior software engineering manager, a director of technology innovation, and has served as chief information officer at both O'Reilly Media and the city of Palo Alto, California.","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/33378"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;general-political-science&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119679943&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6217bb065f999\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;general-political-science&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119679943&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6217bb066031c\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":0,"title":"","slug":null,"categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/"}}],"content":[{"title":"6 Techniques for Falling in (or Back in) Love with Your City","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Everyone who lives in a city has some form of a connection with it. Your feelings might range from apathy to love, not unlike the kind of relationship you can have with a person. These emotions are formed for so many reasons. You may love your city because it’s where you were born and you have deep roots in the community. Perhaps you moved to a city to take a dream job and discovered an exciting city culture. Other times, it may just be the sunshine or the snow, the beach or the hills. It’s probably a combination of things.</p>\n<p>Cities want to be loved. This makes them attractive to talent and investment. Lovable cities are more prosperous cities.</p>\n<p>However, it’s also quite possible that you’ve become discouraged and your city just isn’t doing it for you anymore. Again, any number of reasons can be the cause. You might disagree with local politics or have lost patience in the low quality of city services. You may feel that the city has become less friendly or clean.</p>\n<p>Ask anyone and they’re sure to tell you how they feel about their city — good or bad.</p>\n<p>People who care, who love their city, are more likely to invest in it, to participate in improving it, and to be engaged in all manner of city progress and life. This passion translates to a better quality of life. That’s what smarter and sustainable communities are all about.</p>\n<p>If you’re turned off by your city, all is not lost. Here are a few suggestions for you to reconnect with your city — or to fall in love with it for the very first time.</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Get lost:</strong> Whether you’ve lived in your city for 1 year or 20 years, it’s time to visit it as a tourist. You know that museum you pass every so often but have never visited? Mark out a time and go explore it. Open a map and find a section of the city you’ve never been to. Walk around. Look for art, interesting architecture, and historical landmarks. Find a coffee shop and stop in. Go to a new park. Discover the city like a visitor. You may be surprised and inspired.</li>\n<li><strong>Talk to strangers:</strong> This advice applies to adults only. The risk of starting up a conversation with a stranger is negligible, and it has a positive upside: You may make a new friend or even discover a job opportunity. Strangers can teach you something. A conversation may lead to an adventure. Random conversations can lead to new perspectives. They can remind you about all the good in the world, and even something wonderful about the city.</li>\n<li><strong>Create things:</strong> People decorate their cities. Lego street art and graffiti knitting can show up in the most surprising places. Maybe you’ve seen a mural on the side of a building, or how about that big blue bear in downtown Denver, Colorado? Sometimes for pay and often voluntary, art is created by all types of people for their communities. The beauty and curiosity of these street artifacts are both inspirational and engaging. You can enjoy them or even participate in creating them.</li>\n<li><strong>Play in the streets:</strong> It’s never too late to feel like a child again. Get out on the street and go on a treasure hunt. Play citywide games or any number of app-based smartphone street games, such as Ingress or Pokemon Go. You’ll discover surprises and learn about your city, and you might stumble into areas you knew nothing about.</li>\n<li><strong>Build experiments:</strong> The ability to create urban innovation has never been easier. By using city data or getting permission to deploy a sensor, you can produce value for the community, create a commercial opportunity, or just enjoy the process of innovation. Using the results of urban innovation experiments can also help to support a business case for a city change. This gets you engaged in city activities, which can lead to the satisfaction of enabling positive change in the community.</li>\n<li><strong>Try something new:</strong> You might enjoy your regular pizza restaurant, your local bar, and your friendly coffee shop. Continue to do that, but for every, say, fifth time, try a new place. Make a little effort and find a different kind of restaurant or an old, rundown bar. Every city has gems waiting to be discovered. If someone invites you to a new place and your inclination is to decline, default to yes. Open yourself up to it. You can find interesting things to do by visiting the notice boards in an old record or bookstore and by checking the event schedules at local universities and colleges. Many events are free or low cost and include lectures, performances, book launches, and workshops. You’ll meet new people, learn new things, and be exposed to another side of your city.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"10 Ways to Measure Progress in Implementing a Smart City Strategy","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Many cities around the world have made the decision to implement a smart city strategy. They’re using existing and new technologies as well as innovative processes to improve the quality of life for the people in their communities — an ambitious and often expensive undertaking. With this type of commitment, there’s an expectation that results will follow. City leaders need metrics to manage progress and to help their communities understand how the benefits of the smart city work are being realized.</p>\n<p>Though specific metrics for local initiatives depend on each project and city, many are broad and generalized enough, for most cities to use. Overall, a performance indicator should measure some aspect of livability, workability, and sustainability. Many reputable institutions, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), have created lists of high-level smart city metrics. Here’s a summary of ten that can be used for inspiration:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Percentage of city services available online:</strong> Offering access to city services via a website or a mobile app provides many benefits to both the city and the community. These benefits include 24/7 access from any device, greater accuracy relative to paper-based services, reduced resource needs, and possible automation.</li>\n<li><strong>Number of students with access to digital learning tools:</strong> Computer literacy and access to digital tools are requirements to thrive in the 21st century. Students must become tech-savvy in order to gain access to higher-paying career opportunities and to enable them to participate in an increasingly digital society.</li>\n<li><strong>Percentage of homes with smart energy meters:</strong> These connected meters record and display electricity use in real-time, enabling homeowners to alter their energy consumption behavior to lower the cost and environmental impact. The meters also enable the power provider to understand consumption and, therefore, better plan and manage energy. A similar set of metrics can be used for smart water meters.</li>\n<li><strong>Quantity of energy consumed by street lighting:</strong> Street lighting can consume up to 50 percent of the power needs of a city. Adopting energy efficient lighting and technology to power the lighting only when people or vehicles are in the area can reduce the cost and carbon emissions.</li>\n<li><strong>Percentage of city budget spent on smart city innovation:</strong> The degree to which funds are being committed to smart city projects, particularly when tracked over several years, can indicate the degree of commitment and investment being made in the future of the community. Be careful, though: spend doesn’t necessarily equate to results.</li>\n<li><strong>Percentage of the community with access to the Internet:</strong> Access to the information and services of the Internet is now largely considered a human right. It enables societal progress through broader access to information and education as well as to many of the tools required for innovation and opportunity.</li>\n<li><strong>Number of visits to the open data portal:</strong> Easy access to government data can enable more transparency, trust, better decision-making, and innovation. Additional metrics to capture can include tracking the most popular datasets and any API connections being made to the portal.</li>\n<li><strong>Percentage of city buildings that are accessible to people with disabilities:</strong> Over 15 percent of people in the world have a disability. Making buildings accessible to everyone creates greater societal inclusion. Smart cities must prioritize inclusion in every aspect of the community if quality of life is to be equitable.</li>\n<li><strong>Length of time to acquire a building permit:</strong> A core function of a city is to review and approve community applications for all manner of permits. Greater speed in issuing a permit can reduce requestor frustration, enable more rapid development, and increase economic indicators.</li>\n<li><strong>Percentage of community with easy access to public transportation:</strong> Public transportation enables more community mobility, reduces congestion, and is better for the environment. This metric can be calculated by the percentage of community members with access to some form of public transportation within a defined distance.</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Six months","lifeExpectancySetFrom":null,"dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":271876},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:53:27+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-03-12T11:09:14+00:00","timestamp":"2022-02-24T17:06:12+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Political Science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751"},"slug":"political-science","categoryId":33751},{"name":"American Government","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34474"},"slug":"american-government","categoryId":34474}],"title":"Politics For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"politics for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"politics-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Explore ways you can get involved in politics—from calling your local representative to knowing what to look for in a candidate.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"If the thought of politics makes you cringe, don’t worry, you can get involved as little or as much as you like in politics. If you want to voice your concerns, use these handy resources to contact your representative, and when you do call, be prepared to offer some information to them. Use a checklist of things to look for (and not look for) when searching for a candidate worthy of your vote.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_266862\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-266862\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/politics-candidates-voting.jpg\" alt=\"candidate selection\" width=\"556\" height=\"371\" /> ©Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com[/caption]","description":"If the thought of politics makes you cringe, don’t worry, you can get involved as little or as much as you like in politics. If you want to voice your concerns, use these handy resources to contact your representative, and when you do call, be prepared to offer some information to them. Use a checklist of things to look for (and not look for) when searching for a candidate worthy of your vote.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_266862\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-266862\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/politics-candidates-voting.jpg\" alt=\"candidate selection\" width=\"556\" height=\"371\" /> ©Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com[/caption]","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10139,"name":"Ann M. DeLaney","slug":"ann-delaney","description":"Ann M. DeLaney, JD, has worked as an attorney, government official, and political leader. She was the first woman to serve as chair of a major political party in Indiana and the first woman nominated by a major party as a candidate for Indiana lieutenant governor. She has been a delegate to state and national party conventions. ","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10139"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":34474,"title":"American Government","slug":"american-government","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34474"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":267939,"title":"10 Things to Teach Your Children About Politics","slug":"10-things-to-teach-your-children-about-politics","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267939"}},{"articleId":267936,"title":"How the Electoral College Affected the 2000 and 2016 Elections","slug":"how-the-electoral-college-affected-the-2000-and-2016-elections","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267936"}},{"articleId":267933,"title":"Do Elected Officials Care What You Think?","slug":"do-elected-officials-care-what-you-think","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267933"}},{"articleId":267921,"title":"National Party Conventions","slug":"national-party-conventions","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267921"}},{"articleId":201524,"title":"Should You Register to Vote?","slug":"should-you-register-to-vote","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201524"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":286111,"title":"The History behind Juneteenth","slug":"the-history-behind-juneteenth","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/286111"}},{"articleId":267939,"title":"10 Things to Teach Your Children About Politics","slug":"10-things-to-teach-your-children-about-politics","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267939"}},{"articleId":267936,"title":"How the Electoral College Affected the 2000 and 2016 Elections","slug":"how-the-electoral-college-affected-the-2000-and-2016-elections","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267936"}},{"articleId":267933,"title":"Do Elected Officials Care What You Think?","slug":"do-elected-officials-care-what-you-think","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267933"}},{"articleId":267921,"title":"National Party Conventions","slug":"national-party-conventions","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267921"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282482,"slug":"politics-for-dummies-3rd-edition-2","isbn":"9781119652953","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","political-science","american-government"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119652952/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119652952/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119652952-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119652952/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119652952/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/politics-for-dummies-3rd-edition-cover-9781119652953-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Politics For Dummies, 3rd Edition","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b data-author-id=\"10139\">Ann M. DeLaney</b>, JD, has worked as an attorney, government official, and political leader. She was the first woman to serve as chair of a major political party in Indiana and the first woman nominated by a major party as a candidate for Indiana lieutenant governor. She has been a delegate to state and national party conventions.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":10139,"name":"Ann M. DeLaney","slug":"ann-delaney","description":"Ann M. DeLaney, JD, has worked as an attorney, government official, and political leader. She was the first woman to serve as chair of a major political party in Indiana and the first woman nominated by a major party as a candidate for Indiana lieutenant governor. She has been a delegate to state and national party conventions. ","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10139"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;american-government&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119652953&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6217bb04361ec\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;academics-the-arts&quot;,&quot;political-science&quot;,&quot;american-government&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119652953&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6217bb0436d11\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":187038,"title":"How to Get Involved in Politics","slug":"how-to-get-involved-in-politics","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/187038"}},{"articleId":187030,"title":"How to Contact Elected Officials","slug":"how-to-contact-elected-officials","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/187030"}},{"articleId":187039,"title":"Information to Have When Calling Elected Officials","slug":"information-to-have-when-calling-elected-officials","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/187039"}},{"articleId":187029,"title":"Candidate Selection Checklist","slug":"candidate-selection-checklist","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/187029"}}],"content":[{"title":"How to Get Involved in Politics","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Politics is an area that you may feel like you don’t have a say, but your participation can make a big difference. You have control over the amount of time (and money) you want to contribute, but one thing is critical — you must <a href=\"https://dummies-wp-content.dummies.com/education/politics-government/should-you-register-to-vote/\">vote</a>! If you don’t vote, you have no right or leverage to complain about politics, politicians, or government. Check out the following things you can do to be politically active:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Register to vote.</li>\n<li>Vote in every election.</li>\n<li>Join a political party.</li>\n<li>Vote in primaries.</li>\n<li>Read and listen to the information about the candidates — cast an informed vote.</li>\n<li>Ask questions of candidates and elected officials.</li>\n<li>Don’t hesitate to tell officials when they’ve done something you don’t like.</li>\n<li>Thank officials when they do something you do like.</li>\n<li>Use your phone, the mail, your fax, your computer e-mail — let your representatives hear from you often.</li>\n<li>Circulate petitions and join with others who think as you do.</li>\n<li>Become a delegate to a national convention.</li>\n</ul>\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">If you&#8217;re not sure if your voter registration is current or are unclear about your voting district or precinct, head on over to <strong><a href=\"http://www.turbovote.org/\">Turbo Vote</a></strong>. They can give you the information you need.</p>\n"},{"title":"How to Contact Elected Officials","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>If you feel strongly about an issue and want to exercise your newfound political skills, just pick up your phone and voice your opinion to the people who represent you. If you cannot find the phone numbers of your congressperson, state representative, or state senator listed in the government section of your phone book, try contacting one of the following offices:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>County board of elections or voter registration</li>\n<li>State election board</li>\n<li>Local office of the League of Women Voters</li>\n<li>Public library</li>\n<li>State or county headquarters of the Republican or Democratic party</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Ask the person to give you the following information (make sure you have your address book with you):</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your congressional district, congressperson, and the office phone number</li>\n<li>Your legislative district, state legislator, and the main number at the statehouse</li>\n<li>Your state senate district, state senator, and a phone number at the statehouse</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Ask whether the official has a toll-free number and/or an e-mail address. Check your voter registration card; it may list your ward and precinct. That information makes it easier for the county office to determine which district you live in.</p>\n"},{"title":"Information to Have When Calling Elected Officials","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Legislators and other elected officials are busy people, and a lot of people want a piece of their time. After you’ve found the contact information for your representative, review the following checklist before you call to make that call both more effective and more respectful:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Be prepared to give your name and address.</li>\n<li>Tell the person precisely why you are calling.</li>\n<li>If you are calling about a particular piece of legislation, give the number of the bill, if possible.</li>\n<li>Tell the individual whether you are for or against the legislation and why.</li>\n<li>Be patient; other voters may be calling to express their views, too.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Candidate Selection Checklist","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Because you’ve only one vote to cast, your candidate choice is crucial. How do you know what to look for in a political candidate? Do a little research to help you get to know something about each candidate and use these useful tips:</p>\n<h3>Things to Look For</h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Does the candidate appear intelligent, or is he just filling out the suit?</li>\n<li>Is the candidate qualified for the job?</li>\n<li>Does she have the education and experience to handle the job?</li>\n<li>Do you agree with the programs and ideas the candidate has proposed?</li>\n<li>Are you comfortable with the groups and the individuals who support the candidate?</li>\n<li>Can you trust the candidate?</li>\n<li>Does he pass the elevator test? (If an elevator door opened in front of you and getting on meant you would ride alone with the candidate, would you get on?)</li>\n<li>Is the candidate a leader?</li>\n<li>Does she have ideas of her own?</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Things to Watch Out For</h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Candidates who make appeals to your emotions — not to your intelligence</li>\n<li>Candidates who identify problems — but don’t propose realistic solutions</li>\n<li>Candidates who offer simple, no-sacrifice solutions to complex problems</li>\n<li>Candidates who talk exclusively about hot-button issues such as race, immigration, the flag, English as the official language, and class warfare, but not about such issues as taxes, health care, and the budget</li>\n<li>Candidates with shady dealings in their backgrounds</li>\n<li>Candidates who tell you what they think you want to hear</li>\n<li>Candidates who use negative campaign tactics to give you a false impression of the competition</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>How to Support Your Candidate</h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Volunteer your time — contact voters, organize events, distribute literature.</li>\n<li>Contribute money or help the candidate raise money.</li>\n<li>Urge others to support your candidate.</li>\n<li>Remember to vote for your candidate on election day.</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Six months","lifeExpectancySetFrom":null,"dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":208542}],"_links":{"self":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751/categoryArticles?sortField=time&sortOrder=1&size=10&offset=0"},"next":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751/categoryArticles?sortField=time&sortOrder=1&size=10&offset=10"},"last":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33751/categoryArticles?sortField=time&sortOrder=1&size=10&offset=88"}}},"objectTitle":"","status":"success","pageType":"article-category","objectId":"33751","page":1,"sortField":"time","sortOrder":1,"categoriesIds":[],"articleTypes":[],"filterData":{},"filterDataLoadedStatus":"error","pageSize":10},"adsState":{"pageScripts":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2022-05-16T12:59:10+00:00"},"adsId":0,"data":{"scripts":[{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"<!--Optimizely Script-->\r\n<script src=\"https://cdn.optimizely.com/js/10563184655.js\"></script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"<!-- comScore Tag -->\r\n<script>var _comscore = _comscore || [];_comscore.push({ c1: \"2\", c2: \"15097263\" });(function() {var s = document.createElement(\"script\"), el = document.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0]; s.async = true;s.src = (document.location.protocol == \"https:\" ? \"https://sb\" : \"http://b\") + \".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\";el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);})();</script><noscript><img src=\"https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=15097263&cv=2.0&cj=1\" /></noscript>\r\n<!-- / comScore Tag -->","enabled":true},{"pages":["all"],"location":"footer","script":"<!--BEGIN QUALTRICS WEBSITE FEEDBACK SNIPPET-->\r\n<script type='text/javascript'>\r\n(function(){var g=function(e,h,f,g){\r\nthis.get=function(a){for(var a=a+\"=\",c=document.cookie.split(\";\"),b=0,e=c.length;b<e;b++){for(var d=c[b];\" \"==d.charAt(0);)d=d.substring(1,d.length);if(0==d.indexOf(a))return d.substring(a.length,d.length)}return null};\r\nthis.set=function(a,c){var b=\"\",b=new Date;b.setTime(b.getTime()+6048E5);b=\"; expires=\"+b.toGMTString();document.cookie=a+\"=\"+c+b+\"; path=/; \"};\r\nthis.check=function(){var a=this.get(f);if(a)a=a.split(\":\");else if(100!=e)\"v\"==h&&(e=Math.random()>=e/100?0:100),a=[h,e,0],this.set(f,a.join(\":\"));else return!0;var c=a[1];if(100==c)return!0;switch(a[0]){case \"v\":return!1;case \"r\":return c=a[2]%Math.floor(100/c),a[2]++,this.set(f,a.join(\":\")),!c}return!0};\r\nthis.go=function(){if(this.check()){var a=document.createElement(\"script\");a.type=\"text/javascript\";a.src=g;document.body&&document.body.appendChild(a)}};\r\nthis.start=function(){var t=this;\"complete\"!==document.readyState?window.addEventListener?window.addEventListener(\"load\",function(){t.go()},!1):window.attachEvent&&window.attachEvent(\"onload\",function(){t.go()}):t.go()};};\r\ntry{(new g(100,\"r\",\"QSI_S_ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\",\"https://zn5o5yqpvmvjgdoun-wiley.siteintercept.qualtrics.com/SIE/?Q_ZID=ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\")).start()}catch(i){}})();\r\n</script><div id='ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN'><!--DO NOT REMOVE-CONTENTS PLACED HERE--></div>\r\n<!--END WEBSITE FEEDBACK SNIPPET-->","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"<!-- Hotjar Tracking Code for http://www.dummies.com -->\r\n<script>\r\n (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){\r\n h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)};\r\n h._hjSettings={hjid:257151,hjsv:6};\r\n a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0];\r\n r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1;\r\n r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv;\r\n a.appendChild(r);\r\n })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv=');\r\n</script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["article"],"location":"header","script":"<!-- //Connect Container: dummies --> <script src=\"//get.s-onetag.com/bffe21a1-6bb8-4928-9449-7beadb468dae/tag.min.js\" async defer></script>","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage"],"location":"header","script":"<meta name=\"facebook-domain-verification\" content=\"irk8y0irxf718trg3uwwuexg6xpva0\" />","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage","article","category","search"],"location":"footer","script":"<!-- Facebook Pixel Code -->\r\n<noscript>\r\n<img height=\"1\" width=\"1\" src=\"https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=256338321977984&ev=PageView&noscript=1\"/>\r\n</noscript>\r\n<!-- End Facebook Pixel Code -->","enabled":true}]}},"pageScriptsLoadedStatus":"success"},"searchState":{"searchList":[],"searchStatus":"initial","relatedArticlesList":[],"relatedArticlesStatus":"initial"},"routeState":{"name":"ArticleCategory","path":"/category/articles/political-science-33751/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{"category":"political-science-33751"},"fullPath":"/category/articles/political-science-33751/","meta":{"routeType":"category","breadcrumbInfo":{"suffix":"Articles","baseRoute":"/category/articles"},"prerenderWithAsyncData":true},"from":{"name":null,"path":"/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{},"fullPath":"/","meta":{}}},"sfmcState":{"newsletterSignupStatus":"initial"}}
Logo
  • Articles Open Article Categories
  • Books Open Book Categories
  • Collections Open Collections list
  • Custom Solutions
  • Home
  • Academics & The Arts Articles
  • Political Science Articles

Political Science Articles

Love it or hate it, politics is a fact of life. Learn how the wheels of government turn and glimpse the future of our changing world.

Browse By Category

Australian Government

American Government

American Politics

British Government

Canadian Government

General (Political Science)

Previous slideNext slide

Australian Government

American Government

American Politics

British Government

Canadian Government

General (Political Science)

Articles From Political Science

page 1
page 2
page 3
page 4
page 5
page 6
page 7
page 8
page 9
page 10

Filter Results

98 results
98 results
American Government Congress For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-19-2022

If you’re planning a trip to Washington, D.C., follow some basic recommendations for protocol when visiting with a member of Congress or a White House staffer. Plan your trip to the Capitol Building around Congressional recesses, and be sure to have all the correct contact information for the House of Representatives and Senate to make travel easier and quicker.

View Cheat Sheet
British Government Brexit For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-10-2022

Making sense of Brexit can feel like a full-time job. Find out what Brexit is and why it happened, how it impacts the economy, and what happens if the United Kingdom decides to rejoin the European Union in the future.

View Cheat Sheet
General (Political Science) Urban Planning For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-01-2022

Urban plans help shape the future of a community by addressing everything from housing and transportation to natural resources, public utilities, and more. You don’t have to be a professional urban planner to get involved in planning your community’s future. Whether you participate in the planning process, serve as a local planning commissioner, or help carry out your community’s plan, you can play an important part.

View Cheat Sheet
General (Political Science) Political Science For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-24-2022

From early Greek political philosophy to current international conflicts, political science is a study in how people come together, interact, become informed, and make decisions that affect everyone. Studying political science allows you to become educated on political issues, make decisions, and discover how politics is made at the local, national, and international level. Take a look at the list of important political scientists and their major works to guide you through the evolution of political science. Also, read through major political science concepts to give you a well-rounded view of political science as a vital discipline.

View Cheat Sheet
Australian Government Australian Politics For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-09-2022

Politics — it’s everywhere. It affects everything in society, like taxes, the environment, health, education, the economy, international affairs, security and everything in between. So, knowing how political decisions are made and who the important actors are makes sense. Knowledge is power, and understanding how the Australian political system actually works gives you the power to get involved and influence politics yourself. Check out this Cheat Sheet, which provides quick summaries of Australia's political parties, campaigns, the role of the media, and tips for voting effectively.

View Cheat Sheet
General (Political Science) What Is a Smart City?

Article / Updated 12-28-2021

There may actually be no such thing as a smart city. Wait — what? That’s certainly an odd comment coming from an article about smart cities. Okay, let’s explain. There’s no such thing as a completed smart city. It would be difficult to find an example where all the work has been finished and the designers and implementers have, after completing their tasks, washed their hands and said, “We’re done. Voilà! Here’s your smart city.” Nope. Doesn’t exist. After all, is a city ever completed? With a few rare exceptions, cities are in a constant state of change. Whether they’re being updated and improved or expanding upward, downward, and outward (or all of these); our cities are living, evolving entities. Cities are a work in progress. They are shaped by (among many factors) community needs, by societal trends, by crisis, and by better ideas. They shrink and expand, they decline and are reborn, and they are destroyed and rebuilt. They are never finished. And so it’s a logical return to the idea that there’s no such thing as a smart city. Instead, there are compelling and urgent needs, and a necessary response to demands, for cities that function with greater “smartness” to be smarter in all areas and in every way. A smart city isn’t a city that has merely achieved some level of satisfactory smartness. A smart city is one that identifies with the need to be smarter and then bakes that knowledge into its functioning, action-oriented DNA. It doesn’t continue to use obsolete 20th century solutions. A smart city implements 21st century solutions for 21st century problems. If there’s one aspect of smart cities that can be chastised for continuing to cause confusion and excessive debate, it’s the absence of agreement on the definition of the term smart city. Here you get a brief breakdown of what constitutes a smart city and what does not. What a smart city is As Sicinius, the bearded protector of the Roman people’s interests, states in Shakespeare’s play Coriolanus, “What is the city but the people?” Indeed, what is the city but the people? This is the right place to start when discussing the future of cities. After all, cities are defined by the human experience. They exist in support of people, are the invention of people, and deeply reflect a people's culture. In Bangkok and Tokyo, the city landscapes are replete with temples, like Budapest is with hot baths, Amsterdam is with coffee shops, and Vegas is with casinos. The feel, the look, the behavior, the heartbeat of the city — these are all a reflection of people. Cities communicate the history and life of those who live there. (Some like to say that architecture is the language of the city, which is a fitting way to look at things.) Across the planet, cities have emerged for different reasons, and their design has been shaped by various influences. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to cities. Though they share some common needs, such as energy, transportation, communications, and sanitation, they have as many differences as similarities. Sure, a city can be defined and categorized by such characteristics as its geography, governance, population, and infrastructure, but its purpose, needs, and culture cannot be so easily abstracted and normalized such that you can generalize about their nature. The uniqueness of each city must be viewed through this lens. Many cities suffer the same challenges. Finding a parking space, for example, is a universal pain. But the way problems are solved is often specific to each community. For every challenge that is similar, others are often unique. It’s this backdrop that is essential for an understanding of how to think about smart cities. To be able to confidently say that Barcelona and Dublin are smart cities (or are becoming smarter) means that there would need to be a globally agreed-on definition and an agreed-on set of extensive standards and measurements. These don’t exist, and they may never exist. Okay, to be fair, there are a small number of proposed and voluntary standards for smart cities. Two strong examples are: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), sustainable cities and communities; indicators for smart cities British Standards Institute, smart city standards The term smart city is much less important than the purpose of the work and the outcomes. In fact, to clear up confusion, many other terms are used that are all simply synonyms. They include connected city, hyperconnected city, intelligent city, digital city, smart community, and others. Smart city (or smart cities) is the term that has stuck. A smart city is defined by its people, not by some outside arbiter. If Helsinki believes that it’s creating a better quality of life for its people in its innovative use of technology, it has the right to call itself a smart city. John Harlow, a smart city research specialist at the Emerson College Engagement Lab, states that “smartness in cities comes from people understanding what's important to them and what problems they are experiencing.” The most basic definition of a smart city is one that responds to its citizens' needs in new and improved ways. You’ll learn more regarding this definition shortly, but first, some additional contextual basics. The future of humanity is firmly rooted in cities. For better or worse, as rural communities rapidly decline, immigration to cities is booming. By the end of the 21st century, all things being equal, most humans will live in urban settings. This remarkable shift will define the future more than just about anything else humans do (other than perhaps populating other planets). Despite our many misgivings, on balance, cities are largely a success story. More than anything else, they have lifted billions of people out of poverty, providing jobs, shelter, accessible healthcare, and other support systems and regulations to assist in life’s needs. Edward Glaeser, the American economist and author of Triumph of the City, makes a compelling case that cities are humanity’s greatest invention. But it’s been a tough, ugly journey. The world’s early cities weren’t pleasant places for most people, and suffering was common. Fortunately, cities are now in much better shape, and an urban migrant should find options and opportunities to at least have the choice of a better life. However, though conditions in general are better than they’ve ever been, the challenges presented by cities today are more complex in many ways and are vastly more difficult and expensive to solve. Here’s a list of just a few of the smart city challenges awaiting solutions: Overburdened and inefficient social support systems Transportation congestion and poor public-transport options Inequality Poverty Crime Homelessness Environmental damage Poor air quality Aging and broken infrastructure Lack of jobs Weak civic engagement Food insecurity Inclusiveness This list is only a small reflection of the massive number of unique challenges that cities on every continent have to address. But it should be suggestive to you of the type of work that lies ahead. An obvious question right now is this: Why haven’t humans solved these types of problems? Some of the answer lies in leadership priorities and insufficient budgets as well as in the scale and complexity of the problems involved. Clearly, if these problems were cheaply and easily solved, they’d have been addressed by now. They are neither. However, the history of innovation is a reminder that humans have the capacity to solve big, intractable issues. Improved sanitation changed the trajectory of healthcare, for example, and fertilizer made food abundant. Might innovation also help with the current challenges of the world’s cities? Many would argue yes, and technology powered innovation might offer some of the best opportunities. This kind of thinking may draw you closer to a definition of what a smart city is. The Smart Cities Council, a network of companies advised by universities, laboratories, and standards bodies, maintains that smart cities embody three core values: livability, workability, and sustainability. Specifically, the council states that using technology to achieve improvements in these three areas is the definition of what a smart city needs to be. So, considering everything you’ve learned so far, including researching the literature on the topic, what might a definition look like? Here’s a proposal: A smart city is an approach to urbanization that uses innovative technologies to enhance community services and economic opportunities, improves city infrastructure, reduces costs and resource consumption, and increases civic engagement. Fair? Many smart city definitions include references to specific technologies — often this is a mistake. The definition should be about outcomes, and it should outlive technologies that come and go. There will always be better tools in the future. Limiting a definition to tools that exist now will make any definition quickly outdated. Finally, don’t lose sight of these two important qualities that are essential for smart cities: Technology use: There are many ways to address city issues, but when technologies are used as the primary tools, this helps to make the city smarter. A smart city is a system of systems that optimizes for humans. People first: Don’t become too enamored by the use of technology. When deployed correctly, technology is largely invisible, or at least non-intrusive. What matters are the outcomes for people. A smart city is ultimately a human-centric endeavor. After all, what is the city but the people? What a smart city is not Establishing the definition of a smart city is vital because it helps you comprehend the scope of the topic. But recognizing what a smart city is not also has value. Here are five things that a smart city is not: An upgrade from a dumb city: There are many smart cities events each year, and inevitably a speaker or panelist makes a joke about cities being dumb before they were smart. The joke usually draws a chuckle. Fair enough — the notion of “smart” isn’t precise enough for what it is, but it’s the title that has stuck. All cities are complex, amazing feats of human creativity. They aren’t dumb and have never been — quite the opposite. Becoming a smart city is more about becoming smarter in the use of technology to make what the city does better and to provide solutions to problems that traditionally have been difficult to solve. One last, related point on this topic. One point of view is that a smart city can exist only with smart people. This perspective is far from fair or inclusive. Communities are made up of all types of people, and everyone, if they choose, has something to contribute. When building smart cities, ensure that all your efforts and experiences embrace the majesty of all people. You should, in fact, add this as a goal in your strategy. A surveillance city: Implementing a smart city should not mean the end of privacy for its residents, businesses, and visitors. It’s true that smart cities deploy sensors in support of their efforts — possibly for monitoring air and water quality, improved traffic management, noise detection, energy management, and much more. It’s important to acknowledge privacy concerns where they arise, and city leaders need to listen carefully and respond with assurances. However, you should recognize that these efforts are made to improve services, not to impinge on privacy or create a surveillance city where everyone is being monitored. In developing and executing on a smart city strategy, stakeholders must ensure that privacy is upheld, data is anonymized, and the community is engaged in the process to provide transparency and build confidence. Deploying smart city technology that includes sensors should be specifically and carefully regulated by rules — even legislation — in order to protect the community. Make that a priority. A strategy about gadgets and apps: Yes, technology is definitely at the center of developing a smart city, but if you look at many of the vendors in this emerging space, you can easily believe that the subject is really all about cool new toys and apps. Sure, plenty of those are available. However, transforming a city, solving complex challenges, and creating a higher quality of life for the greatest number of people are goals that require comprehensive changes in processes, rules, technologies, and the talent and skills to plan and implement it. Don’t be distracted by novel, piecemeal solutions. Sure, consider those factors in the mix, but recognize that creating a smart city is an undertaking that requires a significant focus on technology strategy, extensive solutions architecture, and systems integration. Remind yourself (and others) often that smart cities are about people, not technology. A temporary technology trend: You might believe that the smart city movement is a recent development, perhaps just two or three years old. In reality, applying technology to make cities operate better has been under way for several decades. It isn’t possible to determine the first-ever use of the term smart city, but it certainly has references at least to the early 1990s. Even with a reasonably long history already, the real action of smart cities is happening now, and the most significant results will be seen in the years ahead. More than some sort of temporary trend, for cities to function well and bring a high quality of life to as many people as necessary, the smart city movement will last for multiple decades. Though the smart city concept may change over time, the goal doesn’t really have an expiration date. For many skeptical city leaders, it’s time to shrug off the belief that it’s a passing fad and get on board to embrace the benefits of urban innovation. A concept that matters only to big cities: If you review the literature on smart cities, it certainly would appear that only big cities can be smart cities. The same names pop up all the time: London, Paris, Moscow, Melbourne, Dublin, Vienna, Barcelona, San Francisco, and others. Sure, these incredible cities have impressive smart city initiatives, but any city can pursue the goal of becoming smarter. After all, most cities in the world today are small. The big ones are the outliers. Interested in learning more? Check out our Smart Cities Cheat Sheet.

View Article
Political Science The 7 Articles of the U.S. Constitution

Article / Updated 10-15-2021

To understand the United States of America, start with the Constitution. Written over 200 years ago, when the nation was first being established out of the 13 British colonies, this document is a blueprint. Its seven sections (or articles) detail the core components of how the framers wanted the government to run the country. (See U.S. Constitution For Dummies Cheat Sheet.) Article I – The Legislative Branch. The principal mission of the legislative branch is to make laws. It is split into two different chambers – the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress is a legislative body that holds the power to draft and pass legislation, borrow money for the nation, declare war, and raise a military. It also has the power to check and balance the other two federal branches. Article II – The Executive Branch. This branch of the government manages the day-to-day operations of government through various federal departments and agencies, such as the Department of Treasury. At the head of this branch is the nationally elected president of the United States. The president swears an oath to "faithfully execute" the responsibilities as president and to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." The executive branch powers include making treaties with other nations, appointing federal judges, department heads, and ambassadors, and determining how to best run the country and military operations. Article III – The Judicial Branch. Article III outlines the powers of the federal court system. The article states that the court of last resort is the U.S. Supreme Court and that the U.S. Congress has the power to determine the size and scope of those courts below it. All judges are appointed for life unless they resign or are charged with bad behavior. Those facing charges are to be tried and judged by a jury of their peers. Article IV – The States. This article defines the relationship between the states and the federal government. The federal government guarantees a republican form of government in each state, protects the nation and the people from foreign or domestic violence, and determines how new states can join the Union. It also suggests that all the states are equal to each other and should respect each other’s laws and the judicial decisions made by other state court systems. Article V – Amendment. Future generations can amend the Constitution if the society so requires it. Both the states and Congress have the power to initiate the amendment process. Article VI – Debts, Supremacy, Oaths. Article VI determines that the U.S. Constitution, and all laws made from it, are the "supreme Law of the Land," and all officials, whether members of the state legislatures, Congress, judiciary, or the executive branch, have to swear an oath to the Constitution. Article VII – Ratification. This article details all those people who signed the Constitution, representing the original 13 states.

View Article
American Government The History behind Juneteenth

Article / Updated 07-13-2021

On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill making June 19 an annual federal holiday in the United States. The day has come to be known as "Juneteenth," a mashup of "June" and "nineteenth," and has been celebrated as the end of legal enslavement in the United States. The holiday recognizes the day in 1865 when Union army soldiers, led by Gen. Gordon Granger, told enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, that the Civil War was over and they'd been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln in 1863. The unconfirmed story is that enslaved people held in that coastal city were the last to learn of the end of the war — and the end of legal enslavement. “Great nations don’t ignore their most painful moments,” President Biden said during the signing ceremony at the White House. “They don’t ignore those moments of the past. They embrace them. Great nations don’t walk away. We come to terms with the mistakes we made. And in remembering those moments, we begin to heal and grow stronger.” Key events that made the holiday possible Juneteenth celebrations have occurred for more than 150 years before the day became a federal holiday. But the day drew widespread public attention in 2020. Civil rights protests following the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25, 2020, raised awareness of Juneteenth. Then, public outcry over a campaign event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, scheduled for June 19, 2020, by then-US President Donald Trump, captured national media attention. Trump’s opponents argued that holding the event on that date in that city, where a massacre of Black citizens happened in 1921, sent a cynical message. Though Trump canceled the event, the significance of Juneteenth became known to many Americans for the first time. Major US companies including Nike, Twitter, Target, and John Wiley & Sons (home of For Dummies) offered the day as a holiday for employees that year. With signature of the bill marking Juneteenth as a holiday, June 19 became the 12th federal holiday — a holiday in which all nonessential federal employees are given a paid holiday (lucky them) and financial markets are closed. Juneteenth joins New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas as fixed-date holidays, or holidays that are celebrated on either the same calendar date or the closest weekday if the date falls on Saturday or Sunday. The United States celebrated the first federal Juneteenth holiday on Friday, June 18, 2021, because June 19 fell on a Saturday that year. As of the 2021 signing of the bill declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday, 49 states formally observe or celebrate the day in some way; eight states include it as a paid holiday for nonessential state employees. The holiday's new official name is Juneteenth National Independence Day. And it is the second annual celebration of independence in the United States, the first being Independence Day on July 4. That observance marks the day the 13 English colonies in North America ratified the Declaration of Independence, announcing their separation from English rule. Juneteenth National Independence Day commemorates when independence extended to everyone in the United States and freed nearly 4 million people from enslavement. The long wait for freedom and citizenship Although the Juneteenth holiday has traditionally celebrated the end of enslavement of Black people in the United States, slavery did not formally come to an end nationwide until the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the US Constitution on December 18, 1865. Before that amendment abolished slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation had freed only enslaved people in the states that seceded from the United States at the beginning of the Civil War. The legal status of people enslaved in states that didn’t secede but allowed enslavement — Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware — was unclear until the Thirteenth Amendment passed. Enslavement was not fully banned in the United States until 1866 when treaties with Native American tribes formally ended enslavement in territories controlled by those tribes. Finally, formerly enslaved people did not legally become US citizens with full protection under the law until ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment on July 28, 1868. There's still debate over the date when legal enslavement of Black people in the United States actually ended. But, whatever the actual date, Juneteenth now marks the end of that painful period of US history. June 19 is the 12th federal holiday; all nonessential federal employees get a paid holiday (lucky them) and financial markets are closed. Juneteenth joins New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas as fixed-date holidays, or holidays that are celebrated on either the same calendar date or the closest weekday if the date falls on Saturday or Sunday. The United States celebrated the first federal Juneteenth holiday on Friday, June 18, 2021, because June 19 fell on a Saturday that year. A 2017 survey revealed fewer than half of employees of private businesses received paid time off for minor federal holidays such as Presidents Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day. Check your employer’s time-off policy before you schedule time to visit your public library to read up on Black American history next Juneteenth. (And may we suggest Black American History For Dummies as an excellent starting place for your studies.)

View Article
General (Political Science) Smart Cities For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-14-2021

Human destiny is tied to cities. If we humans are going to have a happy and prosperous future, we need new ideas, skilled talent, and informed leaders to build the cities of tomorrow. Everyone deserves a good quality of life. Smart cities can help make that happen. Find out how.

View Cheat Sheet
American Government Politics For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-12-2021

If the thought of politics makes you cringe, don’t worry, you can get involved as little or as much as you like in politics. If you want to voice your concerns, use these handy resources to contact your representative, and when you do call, be prepared to offer some information to them. Use a checklist of things to look for (and not look for) when searching for a candidate worthy of your vote.

View Cheat Sheet
page 1
page 2
page 3
page 4
page 5
page 6
page 7
page 8
page 9
page 10

Quick Links

  • About For Dummies
  • Contact Us
  • Activate A Book Pin

Connect

Opt in to our newsletter!

By entering your email address and clicking the “Submit” button, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Dummies.com, which may include marketing promotions, news and updates.

About Dummies

Dummies has always stood for taking on complex concepts and making them easy to understand. Dummies helps everyone be more knowledgeable and confident in applying what they know. Whether it's to pass that big test, qualify for that big promotion or even master that cooking technique; people who rely on dummies, rely on it to learn the critical skills and relevant information necessary for success.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Cookies Settings
Do Not Sell My Personal Info - CA Only
{"data":{"status":"Internal server error: The given key 'Videos' was not present in the dictionary."},"status":500,"statusText":"","headers":{"content-type":"application/json; charset=utf-8"},"config":{"url":"/categories/33751/categoryArticleFilters","method":"post","data":"{\"categoriesIds\":[],\"articleTypes\":[]}","headers":{"Accept":"application/json, text/plain, */*","sessionguid":"24015871-3819-40d1-b041-5ba3e006d482","Content-Type":"application/json"},"baseURL":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2","transformRequest":[null],"transformResponse":[null],"timeout":0,"xsrfCookieName":"XSRF-TOKEN","xsrfHeaderName":"X-XSRF-TOKEN","maxContentLength":-1,"maxBodyLength":-1,"transitional":{"silentJSONParsing":true,"forcedJSONParsing":true,"clarifyTimeoutError":false}},"request":{}}