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Questions and Answers
In a federal system, a majority of governmental responsibilities are?
In a federal system, a majority of governmental responsibilities are?
shared by both state and federal authorities.
Nations that adopt a federal arrangement tend to have?
Nations that adopt a federal arrangement tend to have?
diverse ethnic or language groups.
Which of the following is the best example of a unitary system of government?
Which of the following is the best example of a unitary system of government?
The federal system can be best defined as?
The federal system can be best defined as?
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The specific powers granted to the national government in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution are called the?
The specific powers granted to the national government in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution are called the?
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The source of an implied power under the Constitution is the ______ clause.
The source of an implied power under the Constitution is the ______ clause.
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What constitutional clause affirms that national laws and treaties are the supreme law of the land?
What constitutional clause affirms that national laws and treaties are the supreme law of the land?
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What is the purpose of the Tenth Amendment?
What is the purpose of the Tenth Amendment?
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Chartering a bank is a ______ power, because both federal and state governments have the authority to do it.
Chartering a bank is a ______ power, because both federal and state governments have the authority to do it.
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The full faith and credit clause of the Constitution requires states to?
The full faith and credit clause of the Constitution requires states to?
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When both state and national governments possess a certain level of authority, it is called?
When both state and national governments possess a certain level of authority, it is called?
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Which is the best example of a concurrent power under the federal constitution?
Which is the best example of a concurrent power under the federal constitution?
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Which clauses of the Constitution involve the relationships among various states?
Which clauses of the Constitution involve the relationships among various states?
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If a state grants a city the ability to govern its own local affairs, this delegation of power is known as?
If a state grants a city the ability to govern its own local affairs, this delegation of power is known as?
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Which statement best describes the discussion of local government found in the Constitution?
Which statement best describes the discussion of local government found in the Constitution?
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The privileges and immunities clause of Article IV is also referred to as the?
The privileges and immunities clause of Article IV is also referred to as the?
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When was the era of dual federalism?
When was the era of dual federalism?
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Which statement best describes American federalism since the 1930s?
Which statement best describes American federalism since the 1930s?
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During the era of dual federalism, what was the primary goal of the federal government's domestic policies?
During the era of dual federalism, what was the primary goal of the federal government's domestic policies?
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What was one effect of dual federalism during the early Republic?
What was one effect of dual federalism during the early Republic?
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Which level of government writes the majority of criminal laws?
Which level of government writes the majority of criminal laws?
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It has contributed to the longevity of the U.S. government by allowing many divisive policy decisions throughout American history to be made by states.
It has contributed to the longevity of the U.S. government by allowing many divisive policy decisions throughout American history to be made by states.
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Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) was important because?
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) was important because?
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Which clause of the Constitution has been critical in allowing the growth of national power?
Which clause of the Constitution has been critical in allowing the growth of national power?
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Which of the following economic policies was the national government allowed to implement during the nineteenth century?
Which of the following economic policies was the national government allowed to implement during the nineteenth century?
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What was the overall importance of the Supreme Court case McCulloch v. Maryland?
What was the overall importance of the Supreme Court case McCulloch v. Maryland?
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The power of Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several states, and with Indian tribes is found in ______ of the Constitution.
The power of Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several states, and with Indian tribes is found in ______ of the Constitution.
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Who wrote the Supreme Court opinions in both McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden?
Who wrote the Supreme Court opinions in both McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden?
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During most of the nineteenth century, Congress used its powers to?
During most of the nineteenth century, Congress used its powers to?
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The constitutional idea of states' rights was strongest during which historical period?
The constitutional idea of states' rights was strongest during which historical period?
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Which event was most influential in the rise of a more active national government?
Which event was most influential in the rise of a more active national government?
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Those seeking to restrain the powers of the national government look to what part of the Constitution?
Those seeking to restrain the powers of the national government look to what part of the Constitution?
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Which constitutional amendment has been used to restrict the scope of authority by the federal government over the states?
Which constitutional amendment has been used to restrict the scope of authority by the federal government over the states?
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In ______, the Supreme Court reinterpreted the commerce clause, changing it from a check on national power to a source of national power.
In ______, the Supreme Court reinterpreted the commerce clause, changing it from a check on national power to a source of national power.
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When the national government appropriates money to the states but simultaneously demands the authority to dictate its distribution, this money is identified as?
When the national government appropriates money to the states but simultaneously demands the authority to dictate its distribution, this money is identified as?
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Which president presided over the New Deal?
Which president presided over the New Deal?
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What was the 'Southern Manifesto'?
What was the 'Southern Manifesto'?
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Why was the Supreme Court case United States v. Lopez important?
Why was the Supreme Court case United States v. Lopez important?
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Which statement best describes the Supreme Court's trend in interpreting federalism since the mid-1990s?
Which statement best describes the Supreme Court's trend in interpreting federalism since the mid-1990s?
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The term marble cake federalism refers to what development?
The term marble cake federalism refers to what development?
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When the national government funds a project that is actually implemented by the states, it is an example of?
When the national government funds a project that is actually implemented by the states, it is an example of?
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The principle of ______ grants the federal government the power to override any state or local law in one particular area of policy.
The principle of ______ grants the federal government the power to override any state or local law in one particular area of policy.
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If the federal government compels state governments to obey costly regulations but does not reimburse those costs, it is called a(n)?
If the federal government compels state governments to obey costly regulations but does not reimburse those costs, it is called a(n)?
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The form of federal assistance called ______ provides money to state governments with no strings attached.
The form of federal assistance called ______ provides money to state governments with no strings attached.
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Block grants are designed to?
Block grants are designed to?
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______ describes the strategy of delegating a policy program to a lower level of government.
______ describes the strategy of delegating a policy program to a lower level of government.
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The 5 Features of Public Opinions are?
The 5 Features of Public Opinions are?
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The written language of the U.S. Constitution can only be altered by?
The written language of the U.S. Constitution can only be altered by?
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Who was an early advocate of public education, defending the cost of such a system on the basis that it would instill the value of democracy?
Who was an early advocate of public education, defending the cost of such a system on the basis that it would instill the value of democracy?
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Which of the following is NOT a basis of legitimacy, according to Max Weber?
Which of the following is NOT a basis of legitimacy, according to Max Weber?
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Which of the following BEST defines democracy?
Which of the following BEST defines democracy?
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Government and politics are not the same because government refers to?
Government and politics are not the same because government refers to?
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Daniel Shays was a(an)?
Daniel Shays was a(an)?
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The most recent amendment dealt with?
The most recent amendment dealt with?
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A New England town meeting is a form of?
A New England town meeting is a form of?
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With the passage of the Sugar Act, Parliament ignored a fundamental freedom extended to English citizens and to colonists until that point. What fundamental right was ignored?
With the passage of the Sugar Act, Parliament ignored a fundamental freedom extended to English citizens and to colonists until that point. What fundamental right was ignored?
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Which of the following devices used to restrain the power of government is NOT expressly stated in the Constitution?
Which of the following devices used to restrain the power of government is NOT expressly stated in the Constitution?
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Which delegated power did Congress use as the basis for outlawing racial discrimination in hotels, motels, and restaurants?
Which delegated power did Congress use as the basis for outlawing racial discrimination in hotels, motels, and restaurants?
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In cases of domestic violence, such as a riot within a state, the national government has the right to intervene?
In cases of domestic violence, such as a riot within a state, the national government has the right to intervene?
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A businessman from New York is mugged in Florida. He must be afforded the same police services as a Florida resident because of the?
A businessman from New York is mugged in Florida. He must be afforded the same police services as a Florida resident because of the?
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A federal system of government gives the?
A federal system of government gives the?
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Although almost all Americans support the basic goals of democracy, there is less agreement when it comes to the application of?
Although almost all Americans support the basic goals of democracy, there is less agreement when it comes to the application of?
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Which one of the following is true of the influence of place of residence on political opinion?
Which one of the following is true of the influence of place of residence on political opinion?
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Which one of the following is true with respect to cell phones and polling?
Which one of the following is true with respect to cell phones and polling?
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The main principles in the national supremacy clause of the Constitution (Article VI) were originally proposed by the?
The main principles in the national supremacy clause of the Constitution (Article VI) were originally proposed by the?
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While colonists agreed that Parliament could make some laws for them, they claimed that Parliament did not have the?
While colonists agreed that Parliament could make some laws for them, they claimed that Parliament did not have the?
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Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan in an effort to?
Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan in an effort to?
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The Antifederalist arguments are important because they?
The Antifederalist arguments are important because they?
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A typical exit poll collects information from roughly ___________ or more voters throughout the day.
A typical exit poll collects information from roughly ___________ or more voters throughout the day.
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Which of the following statements is true (choose one):
Which of the following statements is true (choose one):
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The federal courts can interpret the meaning of laws and of the Constitution, but they are limited by the broad authority of Congress to shape the structure of the federal judicial system and to define the types of cases courts can hear. This illustrates what constitutional devices?
The federal courts can interpret the meaning of laws and of the Constitution, but they are limited by the broad authority of Congress to shape the structure of the federal judicial system and to define the types of cases courts can hear. This illustrates what constitutional devices?
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What was the primary purpose of the First Continental Congress?
What was the primary purpose of the First Continental Congress?
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The Supreme Court's future decisions in the area of federalism are likely to depend mostly upon?
The Supreme Court's future decisions in the area of federalism are likely to depend mostly upon?
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Under the Articles of Confederation, power was?
Under the Articles of Confederation, power was?
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Study Notes
Federalism and Power Distribution
- Federal systems share governmental responsibilities between state and federal authorities.
- Nations with federal arrangements often possess diverse ethnic or language groups.
- A unitary system of government exemplifies centralized power, like when the federal government sets education policies.
- Federalism divides power between a national government and lower levels, notably state governments.
Constitutional Powers
- The Constitution's Article I, Section 8 outlines expressed powers granted to the national government.
- Implied powers are derived from the necessary and proper clause of the Constitution.
- The supremacy clause asserts that national laws and treaties are the supreme law of the land.
- The Tenth Amendment limits central government powers by reserving rights for states and individuals.
Types of Powers
- Concurrent powers, like chartering banks, are shared between state and federal governments.
- The full faith and credit clause mandates that states respect each other's public acts and decisions.
- The privileges and immunities clause ensures citizens enjoy the same rights across states.
- Home rule allows states to delegate self-governance to local authorities.
Historical Context of Federalism
- Dual federalism, prevalent until the New Deal, saw limited federal intervention in state affairs.
- From the 1930s onwards, the federal government gained power, but states were eventually granted some authority back.
- Significant national policies during dual federalism aimed to promote commercial activity among states.
- The Civil War era marked a peak in states’ rights sentiment, but the Great Depression catalyzed a more active national government.
Supreme Court Cases and Their Impact
- Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) affirmed national supremacy in interstate commerce.
- The commerce clause has played a vital role in expanding national power.
- McCulloch v. Maryland reinforced broad interpretations of congressional powers, enhancing federal authority.
- United States v. Lopez (1995) marked a limit on Congress's power under the commerce clause.
Federal-State Relationships
- Cooperative federalism promotes collaboration between national and state governments.
- Unfunded mandates occur when the federal government imposes regulations without reimbursing the states for compliance costs.
- General revenue sharing provides states with funding without specific conditions attached.
- Block grants allow states significant discretion in spending federal funds.
Political Dynamics
- Public opinion features intensity, concentration, stability, distribution, and salience.
- Thomas Jefferson advocated for public education as a means to instill democratic values.
- Daniel Shays was a Revolutionary War veteran who played a notable role in early American history.
Democracy and Legitimacy
- Democracy involves power-sharing among all citizens; governance refers to institutions that enforce rules.
- Max Weber identified three bases of legitimacy: traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational, excluding force.
Amendments and Legislative Decisions
- The most recent constitutional amendment relates to Congressional salary adjustments.
- Judicial review, although significant for government restraint, is not explicitly outlined in the Constitution.
- The First Continental Congress aimed to unify colonial response to British actions.
Polling and Political Trends
- Exit polls typically gather data from about 15,000 voters to gauge election outcomes.
- The influence of geographic residence has shaped political affiliations, notably in the South.
Checks and Balances
- The judicial system's structure allows federal courts to interpret laws within the constraints set by Congress.
- The Articles of Confederation led to a decentralized power structure among states.
Key Historical Developments
- The Albany Plan proposed by Benjamin Franklin aimed for colonial cooperation with British rulers.
- The Antifederalist arguments warned against centralized government dangers, highlighting valid concerns in early governance.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Prepare for your American Government midterm with these flashcards. Each card covers key concepts in the federal system, including the distribution of responsibilities and examples of government types. Test your knowledge and ensure you're ready for the exam!
