Question 1

Which of the following types of grants are most favored by state governments because of the flexibility that comes with their receipt?

Accepted Answer

A)   grants-in-aid
B)   categorical grant
C)   block grant
D)   FDA grant
E)   Pell grantF) B) and E)
G) A) and C)

Question 2

The general phrasing and broad interpretations of the commerce clause have led to the expansion in power of which branch of government?

Accepted Answer

A)   executive
B)   judicial
C)   municipal
D)   legislative
E)   stateF) A) and E)
G) A) and B)

Question 3

Federalism allows the state laws to vary based on citizens' interests. Why might this diversity be in the interest of the national government?

Accepted Answer

A)   The national government has no interest in state prosperity, therefore the states are free to exercise whatever rights they choose.
B)   The needs of states vary widely, and allowing laws to reflect this increases citizen satisfaction.
C)   States make relatively few unique laws, so there is no need for the federal government to enforce their rules.
D)   Citizens only pay taxes to the federal government, so the federal government receives revenue no matter what state laws exist.
E)   State laws are actually relatively equal, so any diversity in interests does not show up in state laws.F) C) and D)
G) A) and B)

Question 4

Throughout the twentieth century, federalism questions were most often decided in favor of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   greater power for state governments
B)   greater power for the national government
C)   greater intergovernmentalism
D)   greater balance between the national and state governments
E)   greater power for the peopleF) B) and E)
G) A) and E)

Question 5

In a unitary system of government, ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   the national government has legal control over local government
B)   confederal states select one national executive
C)   local governments only have one legislative house
D)   federal governments only have one legislative house
E)   a strong federal system exists because of a pre-existing shared sense of national identityF) A) and D)
G) C) and D)

Question 6

After careful consideration, the Department of Education decides to allow states to select their own means of testing their students. This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   intersectionality
B)   incrementalism
C)   Pareto optimality
D)   federalism
E)   testing biasF) D) and E)
G) B) and E)

Question 7

Which of the following best describes an example of how the federal government could delegate more discretion to state governments?

Accepted Answer

A)   institute a nationwide speed limit
B)   institute plans that allow Medicare policies to vary
C)   make block grants contingent on a specified drinking age
D)   nationalize state army reserve systems
E)   implement Supreme Court decisions uniformlyF) A) and E)
G) A) and D)

Question 8

Categorical grants, block grants, and other kinds of intergovernmental financial transfers are most indicative of which set of systemic arrangements?

Accepted Answer

A)   direct democracy
B)   representative democracy
C)   dual federalism
D)   cooperative federalism
E)   separation of powersF) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 9

What does the Fourteenth Amendment do?

Accepted Answer

A)   It guarantees women the right to vote.
B)   It mandates that the United States and each state provide all citizens with equal protection and due process.
C)   It prohibits the federal government from assuming powers preserved for the states.
D)   It authorizes the federal government to tax income.
E)   It prohibits slavery.F) C) and E)
G) D) and E)

Question 10

What are the costs and benefits of federalism? How might the United States benefit by providing even greater autonomy to the states? In what ways might such a shift yield negative consequences? How might the United States benefit by providing even greater authority to the national government? In what ways might such a shift yield negative consequences?

Accepted Answer

A thorough answer may include:
•Advantag...

Question 11

Broadly speaking, what was the effect of the 2013 Supreme Court decision Shelby Co. v. Holder?

Accepted Answer

A)   The Court ruled that Obama's signature healthcare law violated the commerce clause of the Constitution, protecting individuals and states from adhering to the law, thus limiting federal power.
B)   The ruling expanded federal power by extending the commerce clause to include the national government's authority to restrict gun laws.
C)   The Court used the necessary and proper clause to rule that Congress could establish a national bank.
D)   By invalidating parts of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the Court freed some states with histories of racial discrimination from federal oversight in elections.
E)   The ruling limited the power of the national government by establishing a precedent that Congress could not regulate commerce between states.F) B) and D)
G) B) and C)

Question 12

How are state and national elections most similar?

Accepted Answer

A)   In both cases, electoral districts must be drawn to represent populations of equal size.
B)   In both cases, citizens elect officers like the secretary of state and attorneys general.
C)   In both cases, citizens vote directly on laws through referendums or ballot initiatives.
D)   In both cases, citizens vote to recall elected officials.
E)   In both cases, citizens elect representatives who work full-time and year-round.F) A) and B)
G) B) and E)

Question 13

Suppose Congress decided it was unnecessary to have two Carolinas (North and South) , two Dakotas (North and South) , and both a Virginia and West Virginia. Could Congress pass a law changing these six states into only three states (Carolina, Dakota, and Virginia, respectively) ?

Accepted Answer

A)   Yes. As the higher level of government, Congress has the right to create and abolish state boundaries and governments.
B)   Yes. As the level of government with more authority and power, Congress can make such a decision if it can show that the unification of these states would be beneficial to the entire country.
C)   Yes. Since state governments are subnational governments, the national government (Congress)  can redraw state boundaries as necessary.
D)   No. States have constitutionally protected status and cannot be abolished unilaterally by the central government.
E)   No. Congress cannot redraw state boundaries but the Supreme Court could rule in favor of redistricting and force the states to redraw their boundaries.F) A) and C)
G) B) and C)

Question 14

Suppose the State of New York refused to abide by the Supreme Court's decision in McDonald v. Chicago (2010)  and put in place a highly restrictive handgun ban. What recourse would the Supreme Court have to stop New York from implementing this law?

Accepted Answer

A)   They could force the U.S. Congress to pass a law banning New York's actions.
B)   They could ask the U.S. Secret Service to become involved in the proceedings.
C)   They could force the president to file an executive order to stop the law.
D)   They could send the Justice Department to Albany to stop the law from being implemented.
E)   Nothing. The Court has no means to force compliance, so must rely on other branches to act.F) A) and D)
G) A) and B)

Question 15

What are examples of processes of direct democracy, and to what level of government do they pertain?

Accepted Answer

A)   Referenda, ballot initiatives, and recall elections: state government
B)   Referenda, ballot initiatives, and recall elections: federal government
C)   Referenda, ballot initiatives, and recall elections: both state and federal government
D)   Presidential elections, congressional elections, gerrymandering: state government
E)   Presidential elections, congressional elections, gerrymandering: federal governmentF) None of the above
G) A) and D)

Question 16

In Belgium, citizens in constitutionally defined regions elect separate governments to control public policies, as well as a single national government that controls other policies, such as trade and national defense. What does this constitutional arrangement most clearly represent?

Accepted Answer

A)   confederal system
B)   municipal government
C)   divided government
D)   unitary system
E)   federal systemF) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 17

Compare and contrast systems of dual federalism and cooperative federalism. Identify a policy domain in which federal and state authority are substantially divided. Identify a policy domain in which federal and state authority substantially overlap. Overall, which system is more nearly represented by the relationship between the federal government and the states in contemporary American politics? Why?

Accepted Answer

A thorough answer may include:
•Definiti...

Question 18

What is a distinguishing characteristic of dual federalism in contrast to cooperative federalism, and what is an example of a policy area that relies on dual federalism in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

A)   Dual federalism relies on multiple branches of the federal government to enact laws and enforce laws. Dual federalism is represented in the U.S. by the relationship between the legislative and executive branches.
B)   Dual federalism separates sovereignty between national and subunit governments, and the two levels of government operate largely independent of each other. This is exemplified in the U.S. by immigration policy where the federal government has jurisdiction over gun control policy and state laws regarding gun control must conform to national standards.
C)   Dual federalism separates sovereignty between national and subunit governments, the two levels of government operate largely independent of each other. This is exemplified by education policy where the federal government has jurisdiction and states must conform to national law.
D)   Dual federalism relies on multiple branches of the federal government to enact laws and uphold laws. This is represented in the U.S. by the relationship between the legislative and judicial branches.
E)   Dual federalism is where state and national governments are active in all spheres, working together in nearly all policy areas. This is exemplified in the U.S. by Medicare policy where federal and state funding combine forces to provide healthcare for elderly citizens.F) A) and E)
G) C) and D)

Question 19

Which of these is NOT an example of an agency that furthers cooperation between national and state governments?

Accepted Answer

A)   Department of Homeland Security
B)   Department of Education
C)   Department of Transportation
D)   Department of Defense
E)   Department of AgricultureF) None of the above
G) A) and B)

Question 20

Which term denotes money that is distributed to lower-level governments with the purpose of funding special projects?

Accepted Answer

A)   grants-in-aid
B)   categorical grants
C)   block grants
D)   matching grants
E)   revenue sharingF) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Exam 3: Federalism

Suppose Congress decided it was unnecessary to have two Carolinas (North and South) , two Dakotas (North and South) , and both a Virginia and West Virginia. Could Congress pass a law changing these six states into only three states (Carolina, Dakota, and Virginia, respectively) ?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
A thorough answer may include:
•Advantag...
View Answer

Which of the following best describes an example of how the federal government could delegate more discretion to state governments?

Correct Answer
verified

Federalism allows the state laws to vary based on citizens' interests. Why might this diversity be in the interest of the national government?

Correct Answer
verified

Categorical grants, block grants, and other kinds of intergovernmental financial transfers are most indicative of which set of systemic arrangements?

Correct Answer
verified

Broadly speaking, what was the effect of the 2013 Supreme Court decision Shelby Co. v. Holder?

Correct Answer
verified

Suppose the State of New York refused to abide by the Supreme Court's decision in McDonald v. Chicago (2010) and put in place a highly restrictive handgun ban. What recourse would the Supreme Court have to stop New York from implementing this law?

Correct Answer
verified

What is a distinguishing characteristic of dual federalism in contrast to cooperative federalism, and what is an example of a policy area that relies on dual federalism in the U.S.?

Correct Answer
verified

What does the Fourteenth Amendment do?

Correct Answer
verified

Which of these is NOT an example of an agency that furthers cooperation between national and state governments?

Correct Answer
verified

How are state and national elections most similar?

Correct Answer
verified

The general phrasing and broad interpretations of the commerce clause have led to the expansion in power of which branch of government?

Correct Answer
verified

In a unitary system of government, ________.

Correct Answer
verified

What are examples of processes of direct democracy, and to what level of government do they pertain?

Correct Answer
verified

Which term denotes money that is distributed to lower-level governments with the purpose of funding special projects?

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following types of grants are most favored by state governments because of the flexibility that comes with their receipt?

Correct Answer
verified

Throughout the twentieth century, federalism questions were most often decided in favor of ________.

Correct Answer
verified

After careful consideration, the Department of Education decides to allow states to select their own means of testing their students. This is an example of ________.

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
A thorough answer may include:
•Definiti...
View Answer

In Belgium, citizens in constitutionally defined regions elect separate governments to control public policies, as well as a single national government that controls other policies, such as trade and national defense. What does this constitutional arrangement most clearly represent?

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 3: Federalism

Suppose Congress decided it was unnecessary to have two Carolinas (North and South) , two Dakotas (North and South) , and both a Virginia and West Virginia. Could Congress pass a law changing these six states into only three states (Carolina, Dakota, and Virginia, respectively) ?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedA thorough answer may include:•Advantag...View AnswerShow Answer

Which of the following best describes an example of how the federal government could delegate more discretion to state governments?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Federalism allows the state laws to vary based on citizens' interests. Why might this diversity be in the interest of the national government?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Categorical grants, block grants, and other kinds of intergovernmental financial transfers are most indicative of which set of systemic arrangements?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Broadly speaking, what was the effect of the 2013 Supreme Court decision Shelby Co. v. Holder?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Suppose the State of New York refused to abide by the Supreme Court's decision in McDonald v. Chicago (2010) and put in place a highly restrictive handgun ban. What recourse would the Supreme Court have to stop New York from implementing this law?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is a distinguishing characteristic of dual federalism in contrast to cooperative federalism, and what is an example of a policy area that relies on dual federalism in the U.S.?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What does the Fourteenth Amendment do?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of these is NOT an example of an agency that furthers cooperation between national and state governments?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How are state and national elections most similar?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The general phrasing and broad interpretations of the commerce clause have led to the expansion in power of which branch of government?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In a unitary system of government, ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What are examples of processes of direct democracy, and to what level of government do they pertain?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which term denotes money that is distributed to lower-level governments with the purpose of funding special projects?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following types of grants are most favored by state governments because of the flexibility that comes with their receipt?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Throughout the twentieth century, federalism questions were most often decided in favor of ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

After careful consideration, the Department of Education decides to allow states to select their own means of testing their students. This is an example of ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedA thorough answer may include:•Definiti...View AnswerShow Answer

In Belgium, citizens in constitutionally defined regions elect separate governments to control public policies, as well as a single national government that controls other policies, such as trade and national defense. What does this constitutional arrangement most clearly represent?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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A thorough answer may include:
•Advantag...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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A thorough answer may include:
•Definiti...
View Answer

Correct Answer
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