Question 1

Discuss the process of devolution. What made devolution a popular principle in the 1980s? How thoroughly was devolution implemented? What positions have the different branches of government generally taken toward devolution over the past thirty years? Do you expect the process of devolution to continue or to be reversed in the coming years?

Accepted Answer

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Question 2

A proponent of the autonomy of local government would object most strongly to

Accepted Answer

A proponent of the autonomy of local government would object most strongly to unfunded mandates. Unfunded mandates are requirements imposed by the federal government on states and local governments without providing the necessary funding to implement them. This limits the ability of local governments to govern as they see fit and can disrupt the balance of power between local and federal authorities. The other options may have some impact on local autonomy, but unfunded mandates are the most direct violation of it.

Question 3

Some states have passed resolutions of state sovereignty based on the claim that the Tenth Amendment allows them to nullify federal laws with which their legislatures disagree. These resolutions

Accepted Answer

Resolutions of state sovereignty have no force of law and are symbolic statements made by state legislatures. They do not have the power to nullify federal laws or override federal authority. Historically, such resolutions have been used to express political opposition to federal policies or assert states' rights, but they have not been legally binding or recognized by the courts.

Question 4

A federal program that gives a state government federal funds to address a broad category of need and gives the state wide latitude in deciding how the funds will be spent is known as a(n)

Accepted Answer

A block grant is a federal program that provides states with federal funds to address a broad category of need while allowing the state to have wide discretion in determining how the funds will be spent. Categorical grants are grants given to states or local governments for specific purposes, while a program grant provides funding for specific projects or programs. Formula grants are awarded based on calculations of need or population, and unfunded mandates are requirements imposed by the federal government without funding.

Question 5

Discuss the relationship between the federal government and the states as laid out in the original Constitution. Which powers were granted to the national government and which were reserved for the states? How did the first eleven amendments to the Constitution alter federal-state relations?

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Question 6

The Supreme Court would most likely refer to the Eleventh Amendment in a case involving a

Accepted Answer

The Eleventh Amendment to the US Constitution limits the ability of private individuals to sue state governments in federal court. As a result, in a case where a private citizen is suing a state government for alleged violation of federal law, the Supreme Court would likely refer to the Eleventh Amendment.

Question 7

Describe the character of federal-state relations today. How much influence does the federal government wield over the states? What tools can it use to coerce state compliance with federal measures? What means do states have to resist federal initiatives?

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

Same-sex marriage

Accepted Answer

The Obergefell v. Hodges ruling made same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states. The other choices are incorrect as they either oppose or do not fully support same-sex marriage.

Question 9

In the Supreme Court case of New State Ice Company v. Liebmann (1932), Justice Louis Brandeis famously defended the

Accepted Answer

In New State Ice Company v. Liebmann (1932), Justice Louis Brandeis defended the right of state governments to experiment with innovative public policies. Specifically, he argued that states should be allowed to regulate businesses within their borders as they see fit, as long as their regulations do not violate the Constitution. Brandeis believed that allowing states to experiment with different regulatory approaches would ultimately benefit the entire country by leading to more effective and efficient regulation.

Question 10

Which of the following attributes is NOT a strong predictor that a state will experiment with innovative policies?

Accepted Answer

Long-term political dominance by a single party may indicate a lack of political competition and diversity, which can limit experimentation with innovative policies. The other attributes listed can provide incentives and resources for states to experiment with innovative policies.

Question 11

The Supreme Court has ruled that states may not discriminate against nonresidents in regard to certain fundamental rights, based on which provision of the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The Privileges and Immunities Clause of the Constitution (Article IV, Section 2) prohibits states from discriminating against citizens of other states in regard to certain fundamental rights, such as the right to travel, seek employment, and engage in business. This clause ensures that citizens have equal protection under the law regardless of their state of residence.

Question 12

Describe the relationships among the states. What constitutional provisions shape their interrelations? What rights can citizens of one state demand the government of another state respect? Give a few examples of how the actions of one state might affect the policies of its neighbors.

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Question 13

In its 2013 United States v. Windsor ruling, the Supreme Court held that

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court held that the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was invalid, as it prohibited the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, and violated equal protection under the law. However, the ruling did not establish a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, although that issue was addressed in a subsequent Supreme Court case, Obergefell v. Hodges (2015).

Question 14

Which type of program requires state governments to spend their own money to meet standards imposed on them by the federal government?

Accepted Answer

An unfunded mandate is a federal requirement or regulation that states or local governments must comply with, but no federal funds are provided to meet the requirements. This means that state governments have to spend their own money to meet the standards imposed on them by the federal government.

Question 15

Define and give examples of enumerated powers, implied powers, reserved powers, concurrent powers, and prohibited powers.

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Question 16

The full faith and credit provision of the Constitution requires

Accepted Answer

The full faith and credit provision of the Constitution requires state governments to recognize and uphold the legal judgments of other states. This means that if a person is married in one state, for example, all other states must recognize the validity of that marriage. Similarly, if someone is convicted of a crime in one state and moves to another, the second state must recognize and honor the original conviction.

Question 17

Explain how federal-state relations have changed over time. Consider the different types of federalism that prevailed at different times. What factors seem to have the most influence in bringing about changes to federalism?

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

Federal grants to states and localities are highest in which category?

Accepted Answer

Health typically receives the highest amount of federal grants to states and localities, largely due to programs like Medicaid.

Question 19

Discuss the Supreme Court's position on federalism from the founding of the republic to the present day. What landmark cases have been most influential in shaping federal-state relations? Has the Supreme Court's position changed frequently, or has its stance been generally consistent, despite a few anomalous periods?

Accepted Answer

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Question 20

Write an essay in which you compare and contrast unitary government, confederated government, and federalist government, and then explain why the writers of the Constitution chose a federalist government.

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Quiz 3: Federalism: Citizenship and the Dispersal of Power