Question 1

Mechanisms through which each branch of government participates in and influences the activities of the other branches are referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Checks and balances are the mechanisms that allow each branch of government to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches, ensuring no single branch becomes too powerful.

Question 2

Obligations imposed on state governments, by Congress, without reimbursement have come to be known as ___________.

Accepted Answer

Unfunded mandates are requirements set by Congress that state governments must follow without receiving federal funds to cover the costs.

Question 3

Federal funds given to state governments to pay for goods, services, or programs with relatively few restrictions on how the funds may be spent are known as ___________ grants.

Accepted Answer

Block grants are federal funds provided to state governments with relatively few restrictions on how the funds may be spent, allowing states more discretion in their use.

Question 4

When Richard Nixon refused to respond to a subpoena to make available his infamous White House tapes as evidence in a criminal prosecution, the Supreme Court declared his refusal unconstitutional.This court action limited the president's right to:

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Nixon limited the president's right to executive privilege, ruling that it is not absolute and cannot be used to withhold evidence in criminal prosecutions.

Question 5

The legal doctrine holding that states cannot be sued by private persons or groups claiming that the state violated a statute enacted by Congress is known as state:

Accepted Answer

Sovereign immunity is the legal doctrine that prevents states from being sued by private parties without their consent, even if the state is alleged to have violated federal law.

Question 6

Morton Grodzins described the shift from the use of federal grants as a means of supplementing states' traditional functions to a post-1960s era marked by intergovernmental cooperation as a move from "layer cake" to "marble cake" federalism because:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Morton Grodzins described the shift from the...

Question 7

The idea that states should oppose the increasing authority of the national government is known as:

Accepted Answer

States' rights refer to the political powers that U.S. states possess in relation to the federal government, often advocating for limiting federal authority.

Question 8

Throughout much of the nineteenth century, the Supreme Court continued to strike down laws that it thought exceeded national power by referencing constitutional language contained in the:

Accepted Answer

The Tenth Amendment was often cited by the Supreme Court in the nineteenth century to limit federal power, emphasizing states' rights and powers not delegated to the federal government.

Question 9

Within the system of separated powers, the framers provided for supremacy by the:

Accepted Answer

The Constitution establishes the supremacy of the legislature by giving it the power to make laws, declare war, and raise and support armies.

Question 10

The type of federalism that occurs when the national government actually threatens to withhold grant money unless state and local governments conform to national standards is known as _____________ federalism.

Accepted Answer

Regulated federalism occurs when the national government sets requirements that states must follow, often using the threat of withholding federal funds to ensure compliance.

Question 11

An older type of federal grant, in which statistical criteria are used to determine how much funding that a state or local government will receive, is the ___________ grant.

Accepted Answer

Formula grants use statistical criteria to allocate funding to state or local governments based on specific formulas.

Question 12

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), popularly referred to as Obamacare, increased the percentage of Americans covered by health insurance.A Supreme Court ruling, however, made optional the funding of coverage for many lower-income people.Why was this the case?

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could not force states to expand Medicaid coverage, making it optional for states to accept federal funds for this purpose. This decision was based on principles of federalism and states' rights.

Question 13

The fact that the Supreme Court can rule an act of Congress invalid is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The ability of the Supreme Court to rule an act of Congress invalid is an example of checks and balances, which ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful.

Question 14

The condition in American government in which the presidency is controlled by one party while the opposing party controls one or both houses of Congress is known as:

Accepted Answer

Divided government occurs when one party controls the presidency and the opposing party controls one or both houses of Congress, leading to potential legislative gridlock.

Question 15

In the 1990s, the Supreme Court issued a series of state-friendly rulings, including one that struck down most of the Brady Bill, a federal gun control law.This ruling has since been cited in backing the constitutionality of so-called "sanctuary" cities and states, which limit their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.Why is this the case?

Accepted Answer

The Court ruled that the federal government could not require states to enforce or administer federal laws, such as the Brady Bill. This principle supports the idea that states can choose not to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, as seen in "sanctuary" policies.

Question 16

What does the U.S.Constitution suggest could be done when states blatantly interfere with the affairs of local governments, including cities and school districts?

Accepted Answer

Local governments are not recognized under the federal Constitution, so the Constitution does not provide a direct mechanism for addressing state interference in local government affairs.

Question 17

In proposing the Tenth Amendment after the ratification of the Constitution, Congress sought to limit the power of the national government by:

Accepted Answer

The Tenth Amendment was proposed to ensure that any powers not specifically delegated to the national government by the Constitution were reserved to the states or the people, thereby limiting federal authority.

Question 18

The role of the judicial branch in the separation of powers has depended on:

Accepted Answer

The judicial branch's role in the separation of powers primarily hinges on its ability to exercise judicial review, which allows courts to interpret the constitutionality of laws and actions by the other branches of government.

Question 19

After 2015, states were forced to recognize the same-sex marriage license of other states because:

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 required all states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and recognize those issued in other jurisdictions, making same-sex marriage legal nationwide.

Question 20

The claim that confidential communications between a president and close advisers should not be revealed without the consent of the president is known as:

Accepted Answer

Executive privilege is the principle that allows the president and high-level executive branch officers to withhold information from Congress, the courts, and ultimately the public.

Quiz 3: Federalism and the Separation of Powers