Questions and Answers
What type of government system has a strong national government with power derived from it?
What is the definition of a Federal system?
System of government where power is divided between a national government and state governments.
What does the Confederate system entail?
A system of government with a very weak central government and strong states.
What is meant by Grant-in-aid?
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What are Block grants?
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What distinguishes Categorical grants?
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What is a Revenue-sharing grant?
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Define Referendum.
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What are Delegated Powers?
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What is the Supremacy clause?
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What are Mandates?
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Explain Cooperative federalism.
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What is Sovereignty?
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What does the 10th amendment state?
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Define Necessary and proper clause.
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What does Dual Federalism refer to?
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What is an Initiative?
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Explain the Recall process.
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What is the Full faith and credit clause?
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What are Reserved Powers?
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What is the Commerce Clause?
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What does Devolution refer to?
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Study Notes
Federal Systems of Government
- Federal system: Power divided between national and state governments; exemplified by the USA with a national government and individual state governments.
- Confederate system: Weak central government, strong state control; originally seen in the 13 colonies under the Articles of Confederation.
- Unitary system: Local governments derive authority from a strong national government; seen in the UK, where regional parliaments are subordinate to the national Parliament.
Types of Grants
- Grant-in-aid: Federal funding to states for specific projects; e.g., Congress funding California to build railroads.
- Block grants: Broad-purpose grants with fewer restrictions; e.g., funding for various infrastructure projects in Florida.
- Categorical grants: Specific-purpose funds with strict spending guidelines; e.g., federal funding for educational resources like textbooks.
- Revenue-sharing grants: Unrestricted federal funds distributed to states based on formulas like GDP and population; e.g., equitable distribution among states.
Legislative Processes
- Referendum: Direct voter approval for proposed laws or amendments, allowing citizen participation in legislation.
- Initiative: Citizens' right to propose new laws or amendments, enabling grassroots legislative change.
- Recall: Voter process for removing elected officials from office based on performance or competency concerns.
Powers and Authorities
- Delegated Powers: Powers exclusively held by the national government, such as coining money.
- Supremacy clause: Establishes that the Constitution and federal laws override conflicting state laws within constitutional limits.
- Mandates: Required federal rules that states must follow regardless of funding.
- Sovereignty: Supreme political authority vested in the Constitution, ensuring federal supremacy.
Federalism and Governance
- Cooperative federalism: Collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, represented as "marble cake" federalism.
- Dual Federalism: Distinct separation of responsibilities for state and federal governments, exemplified by state control over intrastate commerce.
- Necessary and proper clause: Grants Congress the power to enact laws deemed necessary for fulfilling its duties, forming the basis for implied powers.
- Reserved Powers: Powers not granted to the national government, retained by the states, such as making laws regarding marriage.
- Commerce Clause: Grants Congress authority to regulate interstate commerce; significant in cases like Gibbons v. Ogden concerning river trade.
Evolution of Federalism
- Devolution (New Federalism): The transfer of responsibilities from the national government to the states, allowing for greater local autonomy and flexibility in fund allocation.
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Description
This quiz explores the different federal systems of government, including the distinctions between federal, confederate, and unitary systems. Additionally, it covers various types of federal grants, such as grant-in-aid, block grants, and categorical grants, providing insight into their purposes and restrictions.