Federalism Concepts and Impacts

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of a religious test for presidential candidates?

To confirm the candidate is of good character. (correct)

To evaluate economic qualifications.

To ensure candidates follow specific policies.

To limit presidential powers.

What does the Bill of Rights consist of?

Powers allocated to the federal government.

Twenty-seven amendments added to the Constitution over the years.

The first ten amendments to the Constitution. (correct)

A document detailing state rights.

How many states are needed to ratify an amendment to make it law?

All states.

Two-thirds of the states.

Three-fourths of the states. (correct)

One-half of the states.

Which statement accurately describes federal and unitary systems?

Federal systems allocate powers between states and the national government. Signup and view all the answers

In McCulloch v. Maryland, which constitutional clauses were invoked?

Necessary and proper clause and supremacy clause. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of revenue for local and state governments comes from grant money?

Between 30 and 40 percent. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary source of revenue for both local and state governments?

Property taxes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is not a merit of cooperative federalism?

Reinforces state sovereignty. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes collective goods from private goods?

Collective goods offer broadly distributed benefits, while private goods offer particularized benefits. Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe someone who lobbies on behalf of their employer as part of their job?

In-house lobbyist Signup and view all the answers

What type of incentives are designed to appeal to an individual's concern for a cause?

Purposive incentives Signup and view all the answers

What is an astroturf movement?

A political movement supported by wealthy interests and elites. Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable change in the lobbying environment over the past few decades?

An increase in professional lobbying and fragmentation of interests. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about interest groups and political action committees (PACs) is accurate?

They are required to disclose their contributions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between a PAC and a super PAC?

PACs can contribute directly to candidates, whereas super PACs cannot. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the lobbying activities of interest groups?

Interest groups lobby both the legislative and executive branches. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about cooperative federalism is accurate?

It helps mitigate collective action problems among states. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement regarding new federalism best highlights its foundation?

Decentralization of responsibility is believed to improve administrative efficiency. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about unfunded mandates is incorrect?

New federalism promotes the use of unfunded mandates. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement regarding federal grants is true?

Federal grants have been consistently increasing over recent decades. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a misconception about federalism?

Federalism encourages economic equality across the entire country. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the 'race-to-the-bottom' dynamic?

It encourages states to lower standards to attract business. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes nullification under federalism?

It asserts that a state can nullify any federal law it deems unconstitutional. Signup and view all the answers

What type of station broadcasts national network programming?

Affiliate station Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cooperative Federalism

Respects jurisdictional boundaries between state and federal governments.
Federal cooperation mitigates collective action problems amongst states.
Federal assistance encourages positive externalities from state and local governments.
Federal assistance ensures uniformity of public services across states.

New Federalism

Decentralization of responsibility enhances administrative efficiency.
President Nixon launched new federalism, continued by President Reagan.
The Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Lopez advanced the logic of new federalism.

Unfunded Mandates

New federalism does not promote the use of unfunded mandates.
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act prevents Congress from using unfunded mandates.
The Clean Air Act is a type of federal partial preemptive regulation.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act establishes crosscutting requirements.

Federal Grants

The amount of federal grant money has steadily increased since the 1960s.
The federal government allocates the most grant money to income security.
The majority of federal grants are block grants.
Block grants gain more flexibility over time.

Benefits of Federalism

Promotes political participation
Provides multiple levels of government action
Accommodates diversity of opinion
Does not encourage economic equality across the country

Race-to-the-Bottom

Has detrimental effects

Nullification

If a state deems a federal law unconstitutional, it can nullify it within its borders.

Local Stations

A local station that broadcasts national network programming is called an affiliate station.

Cable Programming

Cable programming is often national.

Lobbying

Interest groups lobby all branches of government (not just legislative).
An in-house lobbyist is someone who lobbies on behalf of their employer as part of their job.
Collective goods offer broadly distributed benefits, while private goods offer particularized benefits.
Purposive incentives appeal to someone's concern about a cause.
An astroturf movement resembles a grassroots movement but is often supported by wealthy interests or elites.
There is more professional lobbying, more interests lobby at the state level, and a fragmentation of interests has taken place in the lobbying environment over the past 3-4 decades.
Interest groups and political action committees are required to disclose contributions.
PACs can contribute directly to candidates, but super PACs cannot.

The Presidency

One man can respond to crises more quickly than a group, and it is easier to control the actions of one man than a group.

The Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights refers to the first ten amendments of the Constitution, which protect individual freedoms.

Constitutional Amendments

Three-fourths of the states must ratify an amendment before it becomes law.

Federal and Unitary Systems

In a federal system, the constitution allocates powers between states and federal government; in a unitary system, powers are lodged in the national government.

McCulloch v. Maryland

The Supreme Court invoked the Necessary and Proper Clause and the Supremacy Clause.

Local and State Government Finance

Between 30-40% of the revenue for local and state governments comes from grant money.
Taxes generate well over one-half of the total revenue for local and state governments.

Merits of Cooperative Federalism

No statement in the text provided a merit of cooperative federalism.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of Cooperative Federalism, New Federalism, and the implications of Unfunded Mandates. This quiz covers major federal grant policies and their effects on state and local governance. Test your knowledge on how federal and state governments interact and the importance of funding in federalism.