Federalism and Devolution Quiz

Questions and Answers

Which of the following is the best example of devolution?

The No Child Left Behind law, which provides states with monetary incentives for meeting national educational guidelines.

Block grants, by which money from the national government is given to the states for discretionary use with broad guidelines. (correct)

The federal tax code, which provides deductions for local charities.

The McCullough v. Maryland case, which allowed the federal government to maintain a national bank.

Civil rights legislation mandating that states not discriminate.

The Founding Fathers devised a federal system for all of the following reasons except:

Federal systems were common throughout the world and were proven to be effective. (correct)

Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government was too dependent on the states for survival.

Concentrating power in a single entity might create tyranny.

Federalism is one method for checking government's power and protecting personal liberty.

A federal system provides balance of power between the state and national governments.

Which of the following statements best describes the impact of the Tenth Amendment?

It had little impact at first but has been expanded over time to protect state powers.

The Supreme Court has interpreted it consistently over time.

It has been effective in protecting and expanding the powers of the states.

It has protected the powers of the states, but not those of individual citizens.

It has rarely had much practical significance. (correct)

Which of the following constitutional provisions has been interpreted as weakening the Tenth Amendment?

The necessary and proper clause. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Supreme Court determine in McCulloch v. Maryland?

States may not tax any federal institution. Signup and view all the answers

The concept that the national government is supreme in its own sphere while the states are equally supreme in theirs is known as:

Dual federalism Signup and view all the answers

States have found federal funding attractive for all of the following reasons except:

Federal grants rarely come with strings attached. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Devolution

Devolution refers to the national government's effort to transfer certain powers back to the states.
Block grants exemplify devolution by providing states with federal funds for discretionary use, following broader guidelines.

Reasons for Federal System Design

Federalism checks government power and safeguards personal liberty.
Concentrating power in one entity risks creating tyranny.
The Articles of Confederation showed the national government’s reliance on states was unsustainable.
A federal system balances power between state and national governments.
At the time of the Constitution’s drafting, federal systems were rare and not widely proven effective.

Tenth Amendment Impact

The Tenth Amendment's significance has been limited; it often lacks practical impact due to inconsistent Supreme Court interpretations.
Although intended to protect state powers, its application has been contradictory over the years.

Weakening of the Tenth Amendment

The necessary and proper clause (elastic clause) has undermined the Tenth Amendment by enabling the national government to exercise implied powers.
This clause expands federal authority, often diminishing state power.

McCulloch v. Maryland Ruling

The Supreme Court ruled that Congress could create a national bank to fulfill its economic powers, citing the necessary and proper clause.
States, like Maryland, cannot tax federal institutions, as “the power to tax is the power to destroy.”

Dual Federalism

Dual federalism posits that both national and state governments hold supremacy in their respective spheres of responsibility.
This concept contrasts with cooperative federalism, characterized by shared powers among government levels.

States and Federal Funding

States are drawn to federal funding due to the national government's ability to generate surplus money and print currency.
The income tax in the late twentieth century created flexible federal grant funding.
Federal grants typically come with conditions, countering the notion that they are without strings attached.
State politicians can accept federal funds while avoiding the political fallout of advocating for expanded government initiatives.

Description

Test your understanding of federalism, devolution, and the impact of the Tenth Amendment. This quiz explores the historical context and significance of these concepts in the American political system. Dive into the reasons behind the federal system design and examine the effects of the Tenth Amendment on state powers.