American Government Chapter 3 Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

Describe the relationship between the federal government, state governments, and local governments.

Foreign policy, especially such issues as declaring war, is primarily conducted at the federal level. The only level of government not mentioned in the Constitution is the local level.

During which of the following periods of time has the United States had a system of dual federalism?

1789 - 1937

How did the Great Depression influence the power of the federal government?

Federal grants-in-aid became a powerful tool to redirect state governments' policy. The federal government took a more active role than before in providing economic security for Americans.

How is power distributed in the U.S. federal system?

<p>Powers are divided between the national and state governments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

States prefer categorical grants to block grants.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of power to the correct level of government.

<p>state = reserved federal and state = concurrent federal = expressed and implied</p> Signup and view all the answers

States prefer regulated federalism to block grants.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each kind of federalism with an example of it in action.

<p>regulated = Congress creates a new law that imposes a burden on states that they must follow. dual = Federal and state governments largely take care of different issues and do not interact much. cooperative = The federal government offers money to states as an incentive to persuade them to pursue a new policy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the federal government impose regulations on money given to state governments?

<p>Federal regulations ensure that states use their money in a responsible manner.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Welfare is an example of a redistributive policy.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are potential benefits of federal control?

<p>Competition between different state and local governments to attract businesses can undermine other policy goals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are examples of states properly exercising their reserved powers?

<p>The state of California requires lawyers to obtain particular credentials before they can practice law.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the early 1800s, during the era of dual federalism, which statements accurately describe the relationship between the powers of federal and state governments?

<p>State and local governments made most of the laws that impacted daily life. Very little overlap existed between the powers of the federal and state governments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Order these eras of federalism by when they first started, from earliest to most recent.

<p>New</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements on the balance between state and federal power today are accurate?

<p>Conservatives are willing to increase federal power, just as liberals are willing to expand state autonomy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

This system tends to occur in states with diverse ethnic or language groupings and has a central government that shares power with lower levels of government.

<p>federal system</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of local governments' authority?

<p>State governments give local governments authority.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which political party most favors devolution?

<p>Republican</p> Signup and view all the answers

Part of the New York state constitution specifies that the state legislature cannot pass laws that affect New York City without first getting the city's approval. What concept is this an example of?

<p>home rule</p> Signup and view all the answers

Did the following Supreme Court cases grant power to the states or to the federal government?

<p>United States v. Lopez = gave power to the states McCulloch v. Maryland = gave power to the federal government Gibbons v. Ogden = gave power to the federal government Printz v. United States = gave power to the states</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following policies with the level of government that was responsible for that activity under dual federalism.

<p>local government = public works national government = tariffs state government = property laws</p> Signup and view all the answers

Police powers rest with the federal government.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the federal government encourage policy standardization between states?

<p>The federal government occasionally overrides state and local laws that are inconsistent with federal policies. The federal government uses grants-in-aid to reward states that enact policy in a manner consistent with congressional goals. The federal government sets national standards to which the states must adhere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of expanded powers for the federal government.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does a unitary system differ from the U.S. federal system?

<p>In a unitary system, all laws and decisions are made by the national government. In a federal system, such as the one we have in the United States, powers are divided between the state and national governments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The central government in France has considerable control over what the regional governments can and cannot do. What kind of division of power between central and regional governments is this?

<p>unitary</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the 1960s, state governments began to lose power relative to the federal government. What was the primary cause of this change?

<p>The federal government did not trust states to implement new federal policies in areas such as civil rights and the war on poverty.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of preemption?

<p>The federal government raises accessibility standards for the disabled. Any state with less stringent standards than the federal minimum must raise them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In 1937, the Supreme Court made a series of significant decisions addressing federalism. How did these decisions influence the course of federalism in the United States?

<p>The Supreme Court upheld acts of Congress that increased the power of the federal government.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Article VI of the Constitution, when state laws and federal laws are in conflict, the federal law will likely be favored over the state law.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

This type of grant from the federal government to states and localities comes with a condition that the expenditure be limited to a specific problem.

<p>categorical</p> Signup and view all the answers

The federal government provides grants to the states to encourage them to use more evidence-based practices in their education curricula.

<p>cooperative</p> Signup and view all the answers

The federal government sets a new environmental standard for emissions and states are required to follow it.

<p>regulated</p> Signup and view all the answers

A limited national government helps build roads and promote infrastructure, but otherwise most responsibilities are left to the states.

<p>dual</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Federalism in the United States

  • The U.S. government comprises three levels: federal, state, and local, where foreign policy declared war is primarily federal; local government lacks mention in the Constitution.
  • Dual federalism prevailed from 1789 to 1937, characterized by distinct responsibilities among state and federal governments.
  • The Great Depression shifted power more towards the federal government, utilizing grants-in-aid for state policy enforcement and economic security.

Power Distribution

  • The U.S. federal system divides powers between national and state governments.
  • State powers are reserved, while concurrent powers are shared, and federal powers are expressed and implied.
  • States typically favor block grants over categorical grants, contrary to some beliefs regarding funding preferences.

Types of Federalism

  • Various forms of federalism include:
    • Dual Federalism: Limited interaction between federal and state governments.
    • Cooperative Federalism: Collaboration between governments, with federal incentives for state policy alignment.
    • Regulated Federalism: Imposition of federal standards that states must adhere to, ensuring policy uniformity.

Constitutional Provisions

  • The 10th Amendment is frequently cited in arguments supporting states' rights.
  • The Commerce Clause and Necessary and Proper Clause have been vital in expanding federal power since 1937.
  • Full faith and credit clause ensures that legal documents (e.g., marriage licenses) are recognized across states.

Supreme Court Influence

  • Landmark cases (e.g., McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden) have historically amplified federal powers, while cases like United States v. Lopez granted more power to states.
  • The balance of power between state and federal authorities is often addressed by the Supreme Court, with ongoing debates over state autonomy versus federal intervention.

Local Governments and Authority

  • Local governments derive their authority from state governments.
  • Home rule exemplifies local governance autonomy, allowing cities to pass specific laws pending state approval.

Federal Grants and Mandates

  • Federal grants can be categorized into:
    • Categorical Grants: Specific purpose funding with strict regulations.
    • Block Grants: General funding with flexible use.
  • Unfunded mandates pose challenges, leading Congress to assess and potentially fund costs exceeding specified limits.

Political Dynamics

  • The Republican Party generally supports devolution, advocating for a reduction in federal power and an increase in state control.
  • The federal government sometimes overrides state laws to achieve policy standardization, driven by national interests.

Modern Federalism Challenges

  • State and federal governments interact continuously, influenced by economic, social, and legal factors.
  • Significant Supreme Court decisions since 1937 have reaffirmed the power dynamics shaping contemporary federalism.

Misconceptions

  • Police powers are fundamentally a state responsibility, not federal.
  • Contrary to some beliefs, states generally prefer flexibility in funding arrangements from the federal government.

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Explore the key concepts of Chapter 3 in American Government through these flashcards. Test your understanding of the relationships and functions among federal, state, and local governments, as well as the historical context of dual federalism. Ideal for quick review before exams!

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