Question 1

A confederal system of government has a ________ central government. A unitary system has a ________ central government.

Accepted Answer

A)   strong; weak
B)   weak; strong
C)   strong; strong
D)   weak; weak
E)   bicameral; unicameral

Question 2

Because of the U.S. Constitution's "privileges and immunities clause," a state such as North Carolina can deny certain "privileges" by refusing to recognize same-sex marriages that occur legally in the state of Massachusetts.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

The privileges and immunities clause was originally meant to promote:

Accepted Answer

A)   equality for all citizens under the law.
B)   states' rights.
C)   individual civil liberties.
D)   commerce and travel between states.
E)   privileges and immunities for the states from being sued by the federal government.

Question 4

One advantage of decentralized power in a federal system is that it:

Accepted Answer

A)   provides the legislative branch with more power than the executive branch.
B)   makes legislation easier to pass.
C)   is a natural check on the power of the federal government.
D)   it leads to more coherent and unified ethnic and national identities.
E)   leads to smaller budget deficits and greater economic growth.

Question 5

What parts of the Constitution seem to favor a form of federalism in which the national government is more powerful than the state governments? Which parts favor a state-centered system over the national government? If you were a Supreme Court justice, which version of federalism would be most likely to guide your decision making and why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What parts of the Constitution seem to...

Question 6

Because the Constitution only sets broad boundaries for state and federal powers, the ________ is very important in resolving disputes over powers in specific instances.

Accepted Answer

A)   Congress
B)   Tenth Amendment
C)   Supreme Court
D)   federal government
E)   president

Question 7

Which best defines the situation of local governments in the American federal system?

Accepted Answer

A)   They are created by the national government.
B)   They are created by state governments.
C)   They are formed by popular petition.
D)   They are created by the national and state governments working together.
E)   They do not exist in a legal sense and only play a ceremonial role.

Question 8

The huge variation in resources that each state has is an argument in favor of:

Accepted Answer

A)   allowing states more power.
B)   the Supreme Court having the final say on federalism.
C)   limiting how much power is given to the states.
D)   competitive federalism.
E)   having the federal government do less.

Question 9

Under the U.S. system of federalism, who or what is responsible for the conduct of foreign policy and defense?

Accepted Answer

A)   the national government
B)   the state governments
C)   the local governments
D)   international organizations such as the United Nations and NATO
E)   The U.S. Constitution never answers this question.

Question 10

When Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, it was trying to:

Accepted Answer

A)   limit the interpretation of the full faith and credit clause.
B)   ensure that states respected same-sex marriages.
C)   force states not to recognize divorces in other states.
D)   exercise its powers under the supremacy clause.
E)   amend the U.S. Constitution.

Question 11

What role does the Supreme Court play in shaping the balance of power between state and national governments? Drawing on your understanding of the Constitution and the Supreme Court's decisions on federalism, explain how this balance of power operates today. Has the Court leaned too heavily in one direction, or has it struck the right balance? Explain your answer with examples.

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court plays a crucial role i...

Question 12

What are the differences between federal, unitary, and confederal systems? Make sure to give a definition and an example of each system. What are some advantages and disadvantages to each system? In weighing the advantages and disadvantages, which system seems to work best and which one seems to work worst? Explain.

Accepted Answer

A federal system is a system of governme...

Question 13

Which aspect of the Constitution points toward a state-centered perspective?

Accepted Answer

A)   the Eleventh Amendment
B)   provisions for national security
C)   the Preamble
D)   the necessary and proper clause
E)   There are no aspects of the Constitution that point toward a state-centered perspective.

Question 14

The concept of dual federalism envisions what relationship between the federal and state governments?

Accepted Answer

A)   Each of them has some distinct authority but they cooperate in most areas.
B)   Each has distinct areas of authority with very little overlap.
C)   The only way in which the national government influences the states is by providing them with funds.
D)   Federal mandates matter only when the states agree to them.
E)   This complicated, vague concept can take on a "dual" meaning that is adaptable to changing times and circumstances.

Question 15

Why are local governments still considered important to citizens?

Accepted Answer

A)   They provide services such as police and fire departments.
B)   They control immigration policy.
C)   They are exclusively responsible for all transportation policy.
D)   They are less likely to be corrupt than state or national government officials.
E)   They provide mail delivery.

Question 16

When California passed a law in 1992 that limited the cash welfare benefit to new residents to the same level of benefits they had been receiving in the state from which they moved, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the law:

Accepted Answer

A)   violated the full faith and credit clause.
B)   violated the privileges and immunities clause.
C)   violated the supremacy clause.
D)   violated the Tenth Amendment.
E)   violated the Fourteenth Amendment.

Question 17

The Supreme Court's endorsement of laissez-faire capitalism in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was significant because:

Accepted Answer

A)   it gave Congress added powers to regulate private affairs.
B)   it prevented Congress from regulating any economic activity that occurred within a state.
C)   it gave additional freedom to Congress to act under the commerce clause.
D)   it strengthened the full faith and credit clause of the Constitution.
E)   it signified the beginning of what became known as the "New Federalism Era."

Question 18

What element of the Constitution affirms state sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

A)   the elastic clause
B)   the origination clause
C)   the supremacy clause
D)   the Tenth Amendment
E)   the Thirteenth Amendment

Question 19

Block grants and general revenue sharing are most closely aligned with what type of federalism?

Accepted Answer

A)   coercive
B)   competitive
C)   dual
D)   cooperative
E)   layer cake

Question 20

Which court case strengthened Congress by providing for a broad interpretation of the commerce clause?

Accepted Answer

A)   Gibbons v. Ogden
B)   Barron v. Baltimore
C)   Roe v. Wade
D)   Mayor of City of New York v. Miln
E)   Maryland v. United States

Exam 3: Federalism

When California passed a law in 1992 that limited the cash welfare benefit to new residents to the same level of benefits they had been receiving in the state from which they moved, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the law:

Correct Answer
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Which best defines the situation of local governments in the American federal system?

Correct Answer
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One advantage of decentralized power in a federal system is that it:

Correct Answer
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The Supreme Court's endorsement of laissez-faire capitalism in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was significant because:

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role i...
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The huge variation in resources that each state has is an argument in favor of:

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Correct Answer
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A federal system is a system of governme...
View Answer

Correct Answer
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What element of the Constitution affirms state sovereignty?

Correct Answer
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Under the U.S. system of federalism, who or what is responsible for the conduct of foreign policy and defense?

Correct Answer
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Block grants and general revenue sharing are most closely aligned with what type of federalism?

Correct Answer
verified

Which court case strengthened Congress by providing for a broad interpretation of the commerce clause?

Correct Answer
verified

Why are local governments still considered important to citizens?

Correct Answer
verified

Because the Constitution only sets broad boundaries for state and federal powers, the ________ is very important in resolving disputes over powers in specific instances.

Correct Answer
verified

The privileges and immunities clause was originally meant to promote:

Correct Answer
verified

Which aspect of the Constitution points toward a state-centered perspective?

Correct Answer
verified

The concept of dual federalism envisions what relationship between the federal and state governments?

Correct Answer
verified

When Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, it was trying to:

Correct Answer
verified

Because of the U.S. Constitution's "privileges and immunities clause," a state such as North Carolina can deny certain "privileges" by refusing to recognize same-sex marriages that occur legally in the state of Massachusetts.

Correct Answer
verified

A confederal system of government has a central government. A unitary system has a central government.

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 3: Federalism

When California passed a law in 1992 that limited the cash welfare benefit to new residents to the same level of benefits they had been receiving in the state from which they moved, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the law:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which best defines the situation of local governments in the American federal system?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

One advantage of decentralized power in a federal system is that it:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Supreme Court's endorsement of laissez-faire capitalism in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was significant because:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe Supreme Court plays a crucial role i...View AnswerShow Answer

The huge variation in resources that each state has is an argument in favor of:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIA federal system is a system of governme...View AnswerShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What element of the Constitution affirms state sovereignty?

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Under the U.S. system of federalism, who or what is responsible for the conduct of foreign policy and defense?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Block grants and general revenue sharing are most closely aligned with what type of federalism?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which court case strengthened Congress by providing for a broad interpretation of the commerce clause?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Why are local governments still considered important to citizens?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Because the Constitution only sets broad boundaries for state and federal powers, the ________ is very important in resolving disputes over powers in specific instances.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The privileges and immunities clause was originally meant to promote:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which aspect of the Constitution points toward a state-centered perspective?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The concept of dual federalism envisions what relationship between the federal and state governments?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, it was trying to:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Because of the U.S. Constitution's "privileges and immunities clause," a state such as North Carolina can deny certain "privileges" by refusing to recognize same-sex marriages that occur legally in the state of Massachusetts.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A confederal system of government has a ________ central government. A unitary system has a ________ central government.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role i...
View Answer

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
A federal system is a system of governme...
View Answer

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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A confederal system of government has a central government. A unitary system has a central government.

Correct Answer
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