Question 1

How does the Tenth Amendment affect the distribution of power between the states and federal government?

Accepted Answer

A)  It divides it equally between the national and state governments. 
B)  It separates power across the three branches of government. 
C)  It reserves power to the national government if not granted to the states. 
D)  It reserves power to the states if not granted to the national government. 
E)  It enumerates specific powers of the states and national governments. 
A)  It divides it equally between the national and state governments. 
B)  It separates power across the three branches of government. 
C)  It reserves power to the national government if not granted to the states. 
D)  It reserves power to the states if not granted to the national government. 
E)  It enumerates specific powers of the states and national governments. D

Question 2

What alternatives to federalism did the Framers consider?

Accepted Answer

The Framers of the United States Constitution considered several alternatives to federalism before ultimately settling on the federal system that is in place today. Some of the alternatives they considered included a unitary system, where all power is held by a central government and local governments have little to no authority; a confederal system, where most power is held by the individual states and the central government has limited authority; and a mixed or hybrid system, where power is shared between the central government and the states in a more balanced way.

Ultimately, the Framers chose federalism as the best alternative because it allowed for a balance of power between the central government and the states, providing for a strong national government while also preserving the rights and authority of the individual states. This system was seen as a way to prevent the concentration of power in any one entity and to protect against tyranny, while also allowing for flexibility and adaptation to the diverse needs of the various states.

Question 3

Which of the following types of system consists of a league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign powers, and a central government with limited powers?

Accepted Answer

A)  Unitary 
B)  Confederal 
C)  Federal 
D)  Authoritarian 
E)  Bicameral 
A)  Unitary 
B)  Confederal 
C)  Federal 
D)  Authoritarian 
E)  Bicameral B

Question 4

What do governors have the ability to do with a line-item veto?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sign and pass legislation in its entirety 
B)  Veto legislation in its entirety 
C)  Veto certain parts of spending bills without vetoing the entire bill 
D)  Propose specific provisions in legislation 
E)  Pass independent legislation 
A)  Sign and pass legislation in its entirety 
B)  Veto legislation in its entirety 
C)  Veto certain parts of spending bills without vetoing the entire bill 
D)  Propose specific provisions in legislation 
E)  Pass independent legislation

Question 5

Which of the following statements best describes federalism?

Accepted Answer

A)  Two levels of government rule the same land and people. 
B)  The ultimate authority rests with the national government. 
C)  The ultimate authority rests with the state governments. 
D)  It does not promote self-government. 
E)  It was the most commonly used form of government around the world when adopted by the Framers. 
A)  Two levels of government rule the same land and people. 
B)  The ultimate authority rests with the national government. 
C)  The ultimate authority rests with the state governments. 
D)  It does not promote self-government. 
E)  It was the most commonly used form of government around the world when adopted by the Framers.

Question 6

Explain what preemption means, and identify recent trends in its use and the issues that have been addressed.

Accepted Answer

Preemption refers to the legal principle

Question 7

Discuss the controversy surrounding judicial elections for state judgeships.

Accepted Answer

The controversy surrounding judicial ele

Question 8

Explain the concept of concurrent powers and provide examples.

Accepted Answer

Concurrent powers refer to the powers th

Question 9

What are the criticisms of direct democracy?

Accepted Answer

Direct democracy, where citizens have th

Question 10

Which of the following prevents states from using their powers to thwart national policy?

Accepted Answer

A)  The supremacy clause 
B)  The necessary and proper clause 
C)  The general welfare clause 
D)  The federalist clause 
E)  The expressed powers clause 
A)  The supremacy clause 
B)  The necessary and proper clause 
C)  The general welfare clause 
D)  The federalist clause 
E)  The expressed powers clause

Question 11

In a federal system, which of the following powers are held jointly by the national and state governments?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cooperative powers 
B)  Statutory powers 
C)  Reserved powers 
D)  Concurrent powers 
E)  Inherent powers 
A)  Cooperative powers 
B)  Statutory powers 
C)  Reserved powers 
D)  Concurrent powers 
E)  Inherent powers

Question 12

Which of the following entities settles conflicts related to power sharing between the states and the national government?

Accepted Answer

A)  The president 
B)  Committee of state governors 
C)  A congressional conference committee 
D)  The Supreme Court 
E)  The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives 
A)  The president 
B)  Committee of state governors 
C)  A congressional conference committee 
D)  The Supreme Court 
E)  The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

Question 13

In your opinion, what is the most significant disadvantage of federalism? Has this disadvantage become more important in modern times? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

In my opinion, the most significant disa

Question 14

The necessary and proper clause of Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution is also known as which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  The supremacy clause 
B)  The confederal system 
C)  The commerce clause 
D)  The unitary system 
E)  The elastic clause 
A)  The supremacy clause 
B)  The confederal system 
C)  The commerce clause 
D)  The unitary system 
E)  The elastic clause

Question 15

Compare a federal system of government with the unitary and confederal systems by explaining advantages and disadvantages of each. Provide examples to illustrate your arguments.

Accepted Answer

A federal system of government, such as

Question 16

Give examples of powers reserved for state governments and provide the constitutional source of that power.

Accepted Answer

Some examples of powers reserved for sta

Question 17

Which of the following political ideologies favors the national government over the state governments?

Accepted Answer

A)  Liberals 
B)  Conservatives 
C)  Socialists 
D)  Federalists 
E)  Traditionalists 
A)  Liberals 
B)  Conservatives 
C)  Socialists 
D)  Federalists 
E)  Traditionalists

Question 18

During the time of the Constitutional Convention, why was federalism an appealing compromise?

Accepted Answer

A)  It prevented cities and states from being dominated by a single group or faction. 
B)  It maintained state traditions while creating a strong national government to handle common problems. 
C)  It allowed politicians to avoid issues of slavery and women's suffrage. 
D)  It permitted states to nullify actions of the national government. 
E)  It made the national government the focal point of dissatisfaction. 
A)  It prevented cities and states from being dominated by a single group or faction. 
B)  It maintained state traditions while creating a strong national government to handle common problems. 
C)  It allowed politicians to avoid issues of slavery and women's suffrage. 
D)  It permitted states to nullify actions of the national government. 
E)  It made the national government the focal point of dissatisfaction.

Question 19

Which of the following did the early Supreme Court generally do under Chief Justice John Marshall?

Accepted Answer

A)  It preserved states' rights. 
B)  It lessened trade powers between the states. 
C)  It issued conflicting decisions about the balance between national and state power. 
D)  It remained silent about federalism issues. 
E)  It increased national power. 
A)  It preserved states' rights. 
B)  It lessened trade powers between the states. 
C)  It issued conflicting decisions about the balance between national and state power. 
D)  It remained silent about federalism issues. 
E)  It increased national power.

Question 20

What does it mean when a state government passes a law that forbids texting while operating a vehicle?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is employing concurrent powers according to the Tenth Amendment. 
B)  It is delegating enumerated powers to the national government. 
C)  It is implementing inherent powers. 
D)  It is exercising police powers. 
E)  It is reserved for Congress to decide. 
A)  It is employing concurrent powers according to the Tenth Amendment. 
B)  It is delegating enumerated powers to the national government. 
C)  It is implementing inherent powers. 
D)  It is exercising police powers. 
E)  It is reserved for Congress to decide.

How does the Tenth Amendment affect the distribution of power between the states and federal government?

What alternatives to federalism did the Framers consider?

Which of the following types of system consists of a league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign powers, and a central government with limited powers?

What do governors have the ability to do with a line-item veto?

Which of the following statements best describes federalism?

Explain what preemption means, and identify recent trends in its use and the issues that have been addressed.

Discuss the controversy surrounding judicial elections for state judgeships.

Explain the concept of concurrent powers and provide examples.

What are the criticisms of direct democracy?

Which of the following prevents states from using their powers to thwart national policy?

In a federal system, which of the following powers are held jointly by the national and state governments?

Which of the following entities settles conflicts related to power sharing between the states and the national government?

In your opinion, what is the most significant disadvantage of federalism? Has this disadvantage become more important in modern times? Why or why not?

The necessary and proper clause of Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution is also known as which one of the following?

Compare a federal system of government with the unitary and confederal systems by explaining advantages and disadvantages of each. Provide examples to illustrate your arguments.

Give examples of powers reserved for state governments and provide the constitutional source of that power.

Which of the following political ideologies favors the national government over the state governments?

During the time of the Constitutional Convention, why was federalism an appealing compromise?

Which of the following did the early Supreme Court generally do under Chief Justice John Marshall?

What does it mean when a state government passes a law that forbids texting while operating a vehicle?

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Exam 3: Federalism

How does the Tenth Amendment affect the distribution of power between the states and federal government?

What alternatives to federalism did the Framers consider?

Which of the following types of system consists of a league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign powers, and a central government with limited powers?

What do governors have the ability to do with a line-item veto?

Which of the following statements best describes federalism?

Explain what preemption means, and identify recent trends in its use and the issues that have been addressed.

Discuss the controversy surrounding judicial elections for state judgeships.

Explain the concept of concurrent powers and provide examples.

What are the criticisms of direct democracy?

Which of the following prevents states from using their powers to thwart national policy?

In a federal system, which of the following powers are held jointly by the national and state governments?

Which of the following entities settles conflicts related to power sharing between the states and the national government?

In your opinion, what is the most significant disadvantage of federalism? Has this disadvantage become more important in modern times? Why or why not?

The necessary and proper clause of Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution is also known as which one of the following?

Compare a federal system of government with the unitary and confederal systems by explaining advantages and disadvantages of each. Provide examples to illustrate your arguments.

Give examples of powers reserved for state governments and provide the constitutional source of that power.

Which of the following political ideologies favors the national government over the state governments?

During the time of the Constitutional Convention, why was federalism an appealing compromise?

Which of the following did the early Supreme Court generally do under Chief Justice John Marshall?

What does it mean when a state government passes a law that forbids texting while operating a vehicle?

Gateways to American Democracy

The Constitution

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion

The News and Social Media

Interest Groups

Political Parties

Elections and Campaigns

Voting and Participation

Congress

The Presidency

The Bureaucracy

The Judiciary

Economic, Domestic, and Foreign Policy

Filters