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Questions and Answers
What is one primary responsibility of the national government in a federal system?
What is one primary responsibility of the national government in a federal system?
- Administering education
- Providing health care
- Promoting national economic prosperity (correct)
- Ensuring public safety
In federal systems, both levels of government are elected by the people.
In federal systems, both levels of government are elected by the people.
True (A)
What document defines the powers of the federal and state governments?
What document defines the powers of the federal and state governments?
The national constitution
Subnational governments, also known as _____ governments, handle regional matters.
Subnational governments, also known as _____ governments, handle regional matters.
Match the level of government with their responsibilities:
Match the level of government with their responsibilities:
Which of the following is a characteristic of federal systems?
Which of the following is a characteristic of federal systems?
Each level of government operates completely independently from the other in a federal system.
Each level of government operates completely independently from the other in a federal system.
How many amendments have been added to the American Constitution since its creation?
How many amendments have been added to the American Constitution since its creation?
Flashcards
Federalism
Federalism
A system of government where power is divided between a national government and regional governments (like states), both elected by the people with specific responsibilities.
What does the national government handle?
What does the national government handle?
The national government is responsible for matters affecting the entire nation, like national defence and economic growth.
What do state governments handle?
What do state governments handle?
State governments handle issues and services specific to their regions, like education, healthcare, and public safety.
What is the role of the Constitution?
What is the role of the Constitution?
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How are governments elected in a federal system?
How are governments elected in a federal system?
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What is the main difference between national and state governments?
What is the main difference between national and state governments?
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Why do national and state governments need to cooperate?
Why do national and state governments need to cooperate?
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How can the Constitution be changed and what does it tell us about federalism?
How can the Constitution be changed and what does it tell us about federalism?
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Study Notes
Federalism Defined and Contrasted
- Federalism is an institutional arrangement creating two autonomous levels of government, each acting directly on behalf of the people with authority from the national constitution.
- Five common structural characteristics exist across today's federal systems, including Germany and Mexico.
- First, federal systems establish two levels of government, each with specific responsibilities. National governments handle country-wide issues like national defense and economic prosperity. Subnational governments (e.g., states) manage regional matters like education, healthcare, and public safety.
- Second, different levels of government must cooperate to resolve shared issues.
- In the U.S. federal system, the national government (president and Congress) handles national issues. State governments (with governors and legislatures) handle state-level matters,elected officials at each level.
- The U.S. federal system demonstrates a separation of responsibilities between federal and state leaders.
- A written national constitution, requiring substantial agreement from subnational governments to be amended, is a characteristic of all federal systems.
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Description
Explore the concept of federalism and how it establishes two levels of government that operate independently yet cooperatively. This quiz discusses the roles of national and subnational governments in various federal systems, including examples from the U.S., Germany, and Mexico. Test your understanding of the structural characteristics of federalism.
