Deck 3: American Federalism

Question 1

Federalism checks the growth of tyranny because

A)when one political party loses control of the national government, it is still likely to hold office in a number of states and can continue to challenge the party in power at the national level.
B)national politicians and parties do not have to iron out every difference on every issue that divides us; these issues are debated in state legislatures, county courthouses, and city halls.
C)if states adopt programs that fail, the negative effects are limited; if programs succeed, they can be adopted by other states and by the national government.
D)while encouraging experiments in public policy, federalism also provides a training ground for state and local politicians to gain experience before moving to the national stage.
E)by providing numerous arenas for decision making, federalism engages many people in the process of government and helps keep government closer to the people

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The national supremacy clause is interpreted to mean that national policies are only enforceable with the permission of the states.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

A constitutional doctrine that suggests whenever conflict occurs between the constitutionally authorized actions of the national government and those of a state or local government, the actions of the federal government prevail, is known as

A)reserve powers.
B)federal mandate.
C)concurrent powers.
D)national supremacy.
E)preemption.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The Constitutional base for the implied powers of Congress is

A)the supremacy clause.
B)the necessary and proper clause.
C)the due process clause.
D)Article II.
E)habeas corpus.

Question 5

In a confederation system of government, a constitution vests all governmental power in the central government.

Question 6

Dual federalism

A)conceives of federalism as a mixed set of responsibilities in which all levels of government are engaged in a variety of issues and programs.
B)views the Constitution as giving a limited list of powers-primarily foreign policy and national defense-to the national government, leaving the rest to sovereign states.
C) views the national government, the 50 states, and the thousands of local governments as competing with each other over ways to put together packages of services and taxes.
D)presumes that the power of the federal government is limited in favor of the broad powers reserved to the states.
E)implies that although federalism provides a sharing of power and authority between the national and state government, the states' share rests upon the consent and willingness of the national government.

Question 7

The text uses the term "federal government" to refer to

A)state government.
B)state and local government.
C)state and national governments.
D)national government headquartered in Washington, D.C.
E)Washington, D.C.

Question 8

Cooperative federalism views the Constitution as giving a limited list of powers-primarily foreign policy and national defense-to the national government, leaving the rest to sovereign states.

Question 9

Constitutionally, the federal system of the United States consists of the national government, the 50 states and

A)the counties.
B)the regions.
C)the towns.
D)the cities.
E)that's it.

Question 10

The powers given explicitly to the national government and listed in the Constitution are called ____________ powers.

A)delegated
B)implied
C)necessary
D)reserved
E)inherent

Question 11

Funds appropriated for specific purposes, such as school lunches or the building of highways or airports, which are allocated by formula and subject to detailed federal conditions are called

A)revenue grants.
B)project grants.
C)categorical-formula grants.
D)block grants.
E)revenue sharing grants.

Question 12

All powers not specifically delegated to the national government nor denied to the states by the Constitution are called

A)reserve powers.
B)federal mandate.
C)concurrent powers.
D)national supremacy.
E)preemption.

Question 13

A requirement the federal government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds is called

A)reserve powers.
B)federal mandate.
C)concurrent powers.
D)national supremacy.
E)preemption.

Question 14

Federalism allows unity without uniformity because national politicians and parties do NOT have to iron out every difference on every issue that divides us; these issues are debated in state legislatures, county courthouses, and city halls.

Question 15

In an effort to reduce rising national budget deficits, which type of federal grant program was eliminated?

A)Categorical grants.
B)Project grants.
C)Revenue sharing.
D)Block grants.
E)All of the above

Question 16

_______________ is a form of government in which a constitution distributes powers between a central government and smaller regional governments.

A)Confederation
B)Union or Unitary System
C)Constitutional Monarchy
D)Federalism
E)Socialism

Question 17

The attempt to return many functions of government to the state level has been called

A)a return to state control.
B)an evolution revolution.
C)a devolution revolution.
D)a return to separation of powers.
E)contract with America.

Question 18

The case of McCulloch v.Maryland (1803) involved

A)the right of a state to tax the federal government.
B)the right of a state to secede from the Union.
C)the power of the president to declare war.
D)the right of an individual to sue a state.
E)the right of an individual to levy a tax.

Question 19

The national and state governments share the power to

A)regulate trade and interstate commerce.
B)oversee primary and secondary education.
C)police citizens.
D)impose and collect taxes and fees.
E)establish post offices.

Question 20

The constitutional provision requiring that state courts enforce civil judgments of the courts of other states and accept their public records as valid is found in the

A)commerce clause.
B)full faith and credit clause.
C)interstate privileges and immunities clause.
D)due process clause.
E)concurrent powers clause.

Question 21

Today, the national government is NOT necessarily more favorable to the claims of minorities than state or local governments are.

Question 22

Powers reserved to the states include the creation of post offices.

Question 23

This is a form of government in which a constitution distributes authority and powers between a central government and smaller regional governments.

A)Anarchism
B)Libertarianism
C)Democracy
D)Federalism
E)Unitary system

Question 24

Federalism encourages experimentation because

A)when one political party loses control of the national government, it is still likely to hold office in a number of states and can continue to challenge the party in power at the national level.
B)national politicians and parties do not have to iron out every difference on every issue that divides us; these issues are debated in state legislatures, county courthouses, and city halls.
C)if states adopt programs that fail, the negative effects are limited; if programs succeed, they can be adopted by other states and by the national government.
D)while encouraging experiments in public policy, federalism also provides a training ground for state and local politicians to gain experience before moving to the national stage.
E)by providing numerous arenas for decision making, federalism engages many people in the process of government and helps keep government closer to the people.

Question 25

___________________ federalism stresses federalism as a system of intergovernmental relationships in delivering governmental goods and services to the people.

A)Dual
B)Cooperative
C)Marble cake
D)Competitive
E)Permissive

Question 26

The total number of governmental units in the United States is approximately

A)51.
B)250.
C)1,500.
D)90,000.
E)112,000.

Question 27

______________________ implies that although federalism provides a sharing of power and authority between the national and state government, the states' share rests upon the consent and willingness of the national government.

A)Dual federalism
B)Cooperative federalism
C)Marble cake federalism
D)Competitive federalism
E)Permissive federalism

Question 28

Federalism allows unity without uniformity because

A)when one political party loses control of the national government, it is still likely to hold office in a number of states and can continue to challenge the party in power at the national level.
B)national politicians and parties do not have to iron out every difference on every issue that divides us; these issues are debated in state legislatures, county courthouses, and city halls.
C)if states adopt programs that fail, the negative effects are limited; if programs succeed, they can be adopted by other states and by the national government.
D)while encouraging experiments in public policy, federalism also provides a training ground for state and local politicians to gain experience before moving to the national stage.
E)by providing numerous arenas for decision making, federalism engages many people in the process of government and helps keep government closer to the people.

Question 29

Money awarded for broad, general purposes is called a formula grant.

Question 30

An example of "cooperative" federalism would be

A)a public policy program that is funded, administered, and determined by a state government.
B)a public policy program that is funded, administered, and determined by the national government.
C)a public policy program funded by the national government and administered by a state government.
D)a public policy program jointly funded, administered, and determined by both the national government and a state government.
E)None of the above

Question 31

Which of the following can be considered evidence to support the idea that federalism provides training for national officials?

A)When one political party loses control of the national government, it is still likely to hold office in a number of states and can continue to challenge the party in power at the national level.
B)National politicians and parties do not have to iron out every difference on every issue that divides us; these issues are debated in state legislatures, county courthouses, and city halls.
C)If states adopt programs that fail, the negative effects are limited; if programs succeed, they can be adopted by other states and by the national government.
D)Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and George W.Bush serving as governors before becoming President of the United States.
E)By providing numerous arenas for decision making, federalism engages many people in the process of government and helps keep government closer to the people

Question 32

Centralists favor state or local action rather than national action.

Question 33

The National Supremacy Clause is interpreted to mean

A)states may not override national policies.
B)only cities may override state policies.
C)national policies are only enforceable with the permission of the states.
D)state constitutions take precedence over the national constitution.
E)the nation may not override state policies.

Question 34

In a ___________ system of government, sovereign nations create a central government through a constitutional compact, but carefully limit the government's authority and do NOT give it the power to regulate the conduct of individuals directly.

A)federal
B)unitary
C)constitutional
D)socialistic
E)confederation

Question 35

The text uses the term "federalism" or "federal system" to refer to

A)state government.
B)state and local government.
C)state and national governments.
D)national government headquartered in Washington, D.C.
E)Washington, D.C.

Question 36

In this system of government, a constitution vests all governmental power in the central government.

A)Federal
B)Unitary
C)Constitutional
D)Socialistic
E)Confederation

Question 37

In 1787, federalism was a compromise between centrists, who supported a strong national government, and those who

A)favored decentralization.
B)wanted power concentrated in Washington, D.C.
C)favored creating a unitary system.
D)wanted the confederation to continue as it was.
E)preferred a constitutional monarchy.

Question 38

Federal grants expand the growth of federal agencies.

Question 39

Chief Justice John Marshall set forth the doctrine of national supremacy.

Question 40

National and state governments should NOT interfere with each other's activities, according to ____________________ federalism.

A)dual
B)cooperative
C)fiscal
D)All of the above
E)A and B only

Question 41

The basic centralist premise is that the Constitution is a supreme law established by the

A)people.
B)state.
C)Creator.
D)Continental Congress.
E)founding fathers.

Question 42

Which clause requires state courts to enforce the civil judgments of the courts of other states and accept their public records and acts as valid?

A)Commerce clause
B)Judgment clause
C)Extradition clause
D)Full faith and credit clause
E)Privileges and immunities clause

Question 43

The most clearly delegated powers, those actually written in the Constitution, are

A)express powers.
B)implied powers.
C)inherent powers.
D)delegated powers.
E)supreme powers.

Question 44

Which of the following former presidents was NOT considered centralist?

A)Ronald Reagan
B)Theodore Roosevelt
C)Abraham Lincoln
D)Franklin Roosevelt
E)Bill Clinton

Question 45

State governments have which of the following sets of powers?

A)Delegated and reserved
B)Reserved and concurrent
C)Direct and inherent
D)Expressed and implied
E)Inherent and implied

Question 46

The federal government of the United States was able to expand its economic power through taxation and a broad interpretation of the ____________________.

A)separate but equal doctrine
B)commerce clause
C)enumerated powers
D)supremacy clause
E)Connecticut Compromise

Question 47

Interstate compacts usually must be approved by

A)Congress.
B)the Supreme Court.
C)the United Nations.
D)the Justice Department.
E)interstate agencies.

Question 48

The national government has the same authority to deal with other nations as if it were the central government in a unitary system because it has constitutionally

A)express powers.
B)implied powers.
C)inherent powers.
D)delegated powers.
E)inherent powers.

Question 49

The process by which an alleged criminal is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed is called

A)full faith and credit clause.
B)extradition.
C)interstate immunity.
D)transfer protocol.
E)None of the above

Question 50

People who favor state or local action rather than national action are called

A)centralists.
B)states' rights advocates.
C)lobbyists.
D)decentralists.
E)either states' rights advocates or decentralists.

Question 51

In the case of McCulloch v.Maryland (1819) what did the Court conclude?

A)States could tax the national bank without limit.
B)States could tax the national bank but limits on the amount could be established.
C)States could not tax the national bank.
D)States could not tax the national bank but counties could.
E)States could not tax the national bank but cities could.

Question 52

Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions are called

A)express powers.
B)implied powers.
C)inherent powers.
D)delegated powers.
E)inherent powers.

Question 53

Justice _________ set forth the doctrine of national supremacy.

A)Daniel Webster
B)John Marshall
C)William Rehnquist
D)Earl Warren
E)None of the above

Question 54

The national and state government share the power to

A)regulate trade and interstate commerce.
B)oversee primary and secondary education.
C)police citizens.
D)establish courts.
E)establish post offices.

Question 55

The decentralist basic premise is that the Constitution is a

A)statement of principles.
B)union of people.
C)treaty among sovereign states.
D)document inspired by God.
E)living document

Question 56

Powers reserved to the states include all of the following EXCEPT the power to

A)oversee primary and secondary education.
B)create post offices.
C)conduct elections.
D)charter local governments.
E)take land for public use.

Question 57

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is an example of

A)states' rights.
B)judicial review.
C)federal preemption.
D)divided government.
E)a block grant.

Question 58

The right of a federal law or regulation to preclude enforcement of a state or local law or regulation is known as

A)reserve powers.
B)federal mandate.
C)concurrent powers.
D)national supremacy.
E)preemption.

Question 59

Centralists believe that the power of the national government is best defined as

A)all powers specifically delegated by the Constitution.
B)something dependent on whether or not we have a viable third party.
C)only denied when the Constitution clearly prohibits it from acting.
D)something dependent on whether or not we have two parties competing for power.
E)all power belonging to the states.

Question 60

Which of the following three groups most likely agree with one another?

A)centralists, states' rights advocates, Antifederalists
B)states' rights advocates, centralists, contemporary liberals
C)Federalists, decentralists, present-day liberals
D)decentralists, states' rights advocates, Antifederalists
E)Antifederalists, social conservatives, centralists

Question 61

The case of McCulloch v.Maryland (1819) addressed the issue of

A)civil rights.
B)judicial review.
C)division of power between state and national government.
D)division of power between local and state government.
E)federal mandates.

Question 62

The three types of federal grants presently being administered are

A)block, revenue sharing, and categorical-formula grants.
B)project grants, revenue sharing, and block grants.
C)categorical-formula, block, and research grants.
D)revenue sharing, block, and research grants.
E)categorical-formula, block, and project grants.

Question 63

Dual federalism is the idea that national, state, and local decision-makers need to work together to solve problems.

Question 64

Marble cake federalism stresses federalism as a system of intergovernmental relationships in delivering governmental goods and services to the people.

Question 65

Federalism provides a fixed and precise principle for allocating power between the national and state governments.

Question 66

Examples of this kind of grant are those made by the National Science Foundation to universities and research institutes to support the work of scientists, and grants Congress makes to state and local governments to support job training and employment programs.

A)Revenue grants
B)Project grants
C)Categorical-formula grants
D)Block grants
E)Revenue sharing grants

Question 67

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act has been

A)mostly successful in restraining mandates.
B)mostly unsuccessful in restraining mandates.
C)mixed in its results.
D)used to eliminate mandates altogether.
E)used to increase the number of mandates.

Question 68

A federal grant that gives a state the right to spend money within a broad category is called a

A)project grant.
B)block grant.
C)community action grant.
D)grant-in-aid.
E)state grant

Question 69

Federal grants serve four purposes, the most important of which is

A)to supply state and local governments with revenue.
B)to establish minimum national standards for such things as highways and clean air.
C)to equalize resources among the states.
D)to attack national problems yet minimize the growth of federal agencies.
E)to promote the national agenda of the political parties.

Question 70

Which of the following is true regarding the politics of federalism with respect to civil rights?

A)The Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution provided protection for same-sex marriages.
B)Congress passed legislation to provide protection for same-sex marriages.
C)The President issued an executive order to provide protection for same-sex marriages.
D)Some state court rulings have provided protection for same-sex marriages while other states are passing legislation that would eliminate such protections.
E)The Constitution has been amended to provide protection for same-sex marriages.

Question 71

Broad grants to states for prescribed activities-welfare, child care, education, social services, preventive health care, and health services-with only a few strings attached are called

A)revenue grants.
B)project grants.
C)categorical-formula grants.
D)block grants.
E)revenue sharing grants.

Question 72

When the federal government orders states and local governments to act without providing federal funds it is called

A)direct orders.
B)cross-cutting requirements.
C)crossover sanctions.
D)total and partial preemption.
E)an unfunded mandate.

Question 73

When it comes to federal grants, Democrats have consistently favored

A)fewer strings, less federal supervision, and delegation of spending discretion to the states.
B) more detailed, federally supervised spending.
C)more strings, less federal supervision, and federally supervised spending.
D)delegation of spending discretion to the states, and more federally supervised spending.
E)None of the above

Question 74

____________________ grants are preferred by political conservatives who want to devolve power back to the states.

A)Block
B)Categorical
C)Formula
D)Project
E)Mandated

Question 75

Constitutionally, the federal system of the United States consists of the national government and the 50 states only.

Question 76

Causes for the growth of the federal government include all of the following EXCEPT

A)powerful interests placing demands on the national government.
B)the Great Depression stimulating extensive national action on welfare, unemployment, and farm surpluses.
C)changing religious values.
D)the growth of the national economy.
E)the need to regulate the activity of multinational corporations.

Question 77

A centralist position has been supported by each of the following presidents EXCEPT

A)Theodore Roosevelt.
B)Ronald Reagan.
C)Franklin Roosevelt.
D)Abraham Lincoln.
E)Lyndon Johnson

Question 78

Republicans have consistently favored

A)fewer strings, less federal supervision, and delegation of spending discretion to the states.
B)more detailed, federally supervised spending.
C)more strings, less federal supervision, and federally supervised spending.
D)delegation of spending discretion to the states and more federally supervised spending.
E)None of the above

Question 79

Americans are most loyal to which level of government?

A)National
B)State
C)County
D)City
E)None - we are pragmatists

Question 80

The federal courts, especially the Supreme Court, are often called upon to umpire the ongoing debate about which level of government should do what, for whom, and to whom.This role for the courts was claimed in what important case?

A)McCulloch v.Maryland
B)Marbury v.Madison
C)Fletcher v.Peck
D)Roe v.Wade
E)Mapp v.Ohio