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Questions and Answers

What is the primary responsibility of the federal government in the United States?

Administering public education and healthcare

Defending the nation against foreign threats (correct)

Conducting elections at the state level

Regulating local law enforcement agencies

Which characteristic is essential for a federal system of government?

Centralized control of all government functions

A single level of government elected by the people

Power sharing between the judiciary and the executive

Cooperation between two autonomous levels of government (correct)

How many levels of government are typically established in a federal system?

Four levels of government with multiple authorities

Three autonomous levels of government

Only one centralized government level

Two relatively autonomous levels of government (correct)

Which of the following best describes federalism as an institutional arrangement?

A division of power allowing for autonomous government levels Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the federal system in the United States regarding constitutional amendments?

Amendments require approval from both Congress and subnational governments. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of requiring a supermajority for constitutional amendments?

It ensures no changes can occur without broad support. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the separation of powers in the U.S. federal system is true?

Congress is responsible for exercising legislative power. Signup and view all the answers

How do federal and state governments interact in the U.S. system?

Their ability to achieve objectives often depends on mutual cooperation. Signup and view all the answers

What is one drawback of a confederation as illustrated by the American experience under the Articles of Confederation?

It maximizes regional self-rule at the expense of national governance. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following provisions in the U.S. Constitution contributes directly to the functioning of federalism?

It outlines the enumerated powers of the national legislature. Signup and view all the answers

What power does Congress possess to ensure its authority over national and foreign affairs?

It can tax and regulate interstate and foreign commerce. Signup and view all the answers

Which case did the Supreme Court decide in 2015 that identified a constitutional right to marriage?

Obergefell v. Hodges Signup and view all the answers

What does the privileges and immunities clause of Article IV primarily prohibit?

States from discriminating against out-of-state individuals. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, which of the following does not accurately represent the interpretation of the privileges and immunities clause?

This clause prohibits any differences in treatment by states. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Division of Powers

Federalism is a governmental power-sharing system between national and subnational levels
Modern democracies, like the US, combine this with three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) sharing power
The US federal government operates at the national level, while state governments function at the subnational level
Federalism structures create two autonomous levels of government, each having direct authority over citizens within their respective areas of responsibility
Five key structural characteristics are common to various federal systems, including the US: two levels of elected government, each with distinct roles, national/subnational level cooperation, clearly defined areas of responsibility for each level, and independent national courts resolving intergovernmental conflicts.
National governments handle matters affecting the entire country (defense, economy), while subnational governments (states) manage regional concerns (education, public safety).
Federal systems require ongoing cooperation between different levels of government because the institutions are interdependent
The US system has clearly defined functions for the federal and state governments
Federal systems have written national constitutions that are difficult to amend, requiring substantial agreement from both Congress and the states to alter.
Federal systems have a national legislature that allocates executive, legislative, and judicial authority to each level of government, usually in a way that ensures a degree of autonomy for each level.
Courts within the federal government (e.g., district courts, appellate courts) play a role in resolving conflicts among the different levels of government.
The US Constitution contains various provisions that shape US federalism
Enumerated powers (national powers) are outlined in Article I, Section 8
The elastic clause (necessary and proper) allows Congress flexibility to carry out their responsibilities
States have reserved powers (powers not specifically delegated to the federal government) identified in the Tenth Amendment
The Constitution also outlines the relationship between states (e.g., full faith and credit, comity clause) and between states and the federal government (supremacy clause).
The Supremacy Clause states that federal laws are supreme if they're within the federal government's constitutional authority.
US federal revenue is derived from individual taxes, payroll taxes, corporate taxes, and other sources; state revenue comes from taxes (e.g., property taxes, sales taxes), and federal support; local governments depend mainly on taxes (mainly property tax), and federal-state support
Key financial responsibilities of each level of government influence the way they operate and how they interact with each other.

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of federalism, focusing on the division of powers between national and subnational governments. It covers the key characteristics of federal systems and their functionality in modern democracies like the United States. Test your knowledge of how these systems operate and interact.

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