Which of the following statements most accurately summarizes the trend in federal-state relations from the 1980s to the present day?
A) With broad support from the people, the federal government has assumed ever greater responsibilities and powers.
B) Since the end of the 1970s, there have been no notable instances of the federal government imposing national standards upon state governments.
C) Although the federal government has relinquished much power to the states, it has repeatedly used financial incentives and other means to impose national standards.
D) Despite a brief revival of liberalism under President Clinton in the 1990s, the Republican presidents consistently opposed any attempt to impose national standards on the states.
E) While the executive branch has boldly pursued a policy of dispersing power among the states, the judicial and legislative branches have struggled more successfully to keep power in the hands of the national government.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The trend in federal-state relations from the 1980s to the present day has been characterized by the federal government relinquishing much power to the states, but also using financial incentives and other means to impose national standards. This is reflected in policies such as No Child Left Behind and the Affordable Care Act, which give states flexibility but also require certain national standards to be met.

Which of the Following Statements Most Accurately Summarizes the Trend