Question 1

Today, state governments ________.

Accepted Answer

State governments employ more civilians than the Federal government, regulate about twenty percent of the American economy, and conduct most of the criminal trials in the United States.

Question 2

Why and how does it make a difference whether the Federal or state governments control public policy? Be specific, and use examples.

Accepted Answer

The control of public policy by either the Federal or state governments can make a significant difference in terms of the scope and impact of the policies implemented.

Firstly, the Federal government has the authority to create laws and policies that apply to the entire country, whereas state governments have the power to create laws and policies that only apply within their own state. This means that Federal control of public policy can lead to more uniformity and consistency across the country, while state control can result in a patchwork of different policies and regulations.

For example, in the case of healthcare, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was a Federal policy that aimed to provide healthcare coverage to millions of Americans. However, some states chose not to expand Medicaid under the ACA, leading to disparities in healthcare coverage and access across different states.

Additionally, the Federal government has more resources and influence to address national issues such as immigration, national security, and environmental protection. State governments may not have the capacity to effectively address these issues on their own, leading to potential gaps and inconsistencies in policy implementation.

On the other hand, state control of public policy allows for greater flexibility and tailoring of policies to meet the specific needs and preferences of the state's population. For example, some states have implemented their own environmental regulations that are more stringent than Federal standards in order to address local environmental concerns.

In conclusion, the control of public policy by either the Federal or state governments can have a significant impact on the consistency, effectiveness, and adaptability of policies. While Federal control can lead to more uniformity and address national issues, state control allows for greater customization and responsiveness to local needs. Both levels of government play important roles in shaping public policy, and the balance between Federal and state control is crucial in ensuring a well-functioning and responsive governance system.

Question 3

In what three ways did the period of "dual federalism" affect the development of federalism since the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

The period of "dual federalism" had a significant impact on the development of federalism since the 1800s in three main ways.

First, it established a clear division of powers between the national government and the state governments. This division limited the authority of the national government to only those powers explicitly granted to it by the Constitution, while reserving all other powers to the states. This strict interpretation of federal powers laid the foundation for the concept of states' rights and limited government intervention in state affairs.

Second, the period of dual federalism emphasized the importance of state sovereignty and autonomy. States were seen as independent entities with their own spheres of influence, and the national government was expected to respect and not interfere with state authority. This emphasis on state sovereignty has continued to shape the relationship between the national government and the states, influencing debates over issues such as states' rights, federal mandates, and the balance of power between the two levels of government.

Third, the period of dual federalism set the stage for the expansion of federal powers and the evolution of federalism in the 20th century. As the country faced new challenges and crises, such as the Great Depression and World War II, the national government began to assert its authority in areas previously reserved for the states. This shift towards cooperative federalism and the expansion of federal powers marked a departure from the strict division of powers characteristic of dual federalism, leading to a more complex and interdependent relationship between the national government and the states.

In summary, the period of dual federalism had a lasting impact on the development of federalism since the 1800s by establishing a clear division of powers, emphasizing state sovereignty, and setting the stage for the evolution of federal powers and the relationship between the national government and the states.

Question 4

Define and describe the four tools used to establish nation-wide policies without violating state prerogatives.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define and describe the four tools used...

Question 5

The presidential administration of Ronald Reagan ________.

Accepted Answer

The Reagan administration was known for its policies of "New Federalism," which sought to shift power and authority from the federal government to the states. This often involved preempting state authority in a variety of policy areas, such as environmental regulation and social welfare. However, the administration did not eliminate all Federal rules attached to grants-in-aid, repeal all Federal laws that limit state economic regulation, nor consistently support increasing state power in all policy areas.

Question 6

Which of these programs of the Obama administration did not depend on the states?

Accepted Answer

All the listed programs involved significant federal action but also depended on states for implementation to varying degrees, making none of them entirely independent of state involvement.

Question 7

In the 1960s, ________.

Accepted Answer

In the 1960s, the number of Federal grant-in-aid programs doubled.

Question 8

In what period did Federal government spending first exceed spending by the state and local governments?

Accepted Answer

Federal government spending first exceeded spending by state and local governments during the New Deal era in the 1930s, under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, as a response to the Great Depression. This period marked a significant increase in federal intervention and spending on social programs, infrastructure, and economic recovery efforts.

Question 9

What is the name for the Progressive Era strategy that aimed to influence each state to enact the same law?

Accepted Answer

The strategy that aimed to influence each state to enact the same law during the Progressive Era is known as the uniform law strategy. This strategy was aimed at promoting consistency and coordination across the states in areas such as labor rights, child labor, and women's suffrage. It involved developing model laws that could be adopted by different states, promoting these laws through advocacy campaigns and lobbying, and encouraging cooperation among state legislators and policymakers. The uniform law strategy was an important part of the broader Progressive Era movement, which sought to reform and modernize American society through government intervention and social activism.

Question 10

____________ is a tool used by the Federal government to establish new state and local institutions to achieve specific policy goals.

Accepted Answer

Bypassing is a tool used by the Federal government to establish new state and local institutions to achieve specific policy goals without relying on traditional policy instruments like grants, regulations, or taxation. This involves creating new organizations that are independent of existing state or local institutions, and which have their own funding and authority to implement federal policies. Examples of bypassing include federally chartered corporations such as Amtrak and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Constitutional amendments are changes to the Constitution, partial national rules is not a term commonly used, and product development is not applicable to the context of the question.

Question 11

American ________________ is the name of the field that tries to improve the understanding of past and current political events by analyzing the origins, continuity, and changes in durable institutions such as federalism.

Accepted Answer

Political development is the field that seeks to understand historical and current political events by examining the origins, continuity, and changes in institutions such as federalism. Political behavior is more concerned with individual actions and decision-making, while public choice focuses on the economic analysis of political decision-making. Public law is concerned with the legal framework of government and society.

Question 12

Describe the development of grants-in-aid in American history. Be sure to discuss the Progressive Era, the New Deal, the 1960s and 1970s, the conservative use of federalism and the liberal use of federalism. Have controversies over grants programs made political polarization more intense in recent decades? Can grants be changed to reduce political polarization, and if so, how?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the development of grants-in-aid in American...

Quiz 1: American Federalism As a Political Weapon