Question 1

What are the implications of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995?

Accepted Answer

An ideal response would be:
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 was championed by then-House Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich as part of the GOP's Contract with America.The act was considered part of what commentators called the "Newt Federalism."
The law requires Congress to evaluate the impact of unfunded mandates and imposes mild constraints on Congress itself.A congressional committee that approves any legislation containing a national mandate must draw attention to the mandate in its report and describe its cost to state and local governments.If the committee intends any mandate to be partially unfunded, it must explain why it is appropriate for state and local governments to pay for it.At least during its first 15 years, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act has been mostly successful in restraining mandates.According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the national government has enacted only 11 laws since 1995 that impose unfunded mandates.Three of these unfunded mandates involved increases in the minimum wage that apply to all state and local employees.

Question 2

________ refers to a constitutional arrangement in which sovereign nations or states, through a constitutional compact, create a central government but carefully limit its power and do not give it direct authority over individuals.

Accepted Answer

A) Extradition 
B) Privatization 
C) Confederation 
D) National supremacy 
E) Federalism 
A) Extradition 
B) Privatization 
C) Confederation 
D) National supremacy 
E) Federalism C

Question 3

Which of the following statements is true about the disadvantages of federalism?

Accepted Answer

A) Federalism does not protect citizens from tyranny. 
B) Federalism limits opportunities for future national leaders. 
C) Federalism discourages experimentation. 
D) Federalism promotes variation in policies that creates inefficiencies and inequalities. 
E) Federalism widens the gap between the government and the people. 
A) Federalism does not protect citizens from tyranny. 
B) Federalism limits opportunities for future national leaders. 
C) Federalism discourages experimentation. 
D) Federalism promotes variation in policies that creates inefficiencies and inequalities. 
E) Federalism widens the gap between the government and the people. D

Question 4

The Constitution allows states to tax foreign ships.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Conducting elections and coining money are examples of powers reserved for state governments.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

________ is defined as a way to improve government performance by encouraging state and local governments to contend against each other for residents, businesses, investment, and national funding.

Accepted Answer

A) Dual federalism 
B) Cooperative federalism 
C) Competitive federalism 
D) Permissive federalism 
E) Coercive federalism 
A) Dual federalism 
B) Cooperative federalism 
C) Competitive federalism 
D) Permissive federalism 
E) Coercive federalism

Question 7

Information about state action spreads quickly from government to government, especially during periods when the national government is relatively slow to respond to pressing issues.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

The growth of the national economy and the creation of national transportation and communications networks altered people's attitudes toward the national government.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Centralists believe that the national government should not interfere with activities reserved for the states.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Briefly explain the powers of the national government.

Accepted Answer

An ideal response would be:
The Constitu

Question 11

Preemption is best described as ________.

Accepted Answer

A) the right of a national law or regulation to preclude enforcement of a state or local law or regulation 
B) an agreement among two or more states that must be approved by Congress 
C) the legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed 
D) a requirement the national government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds 
E) a strict separation of powers between the national and state governments in which each layer has its own responsibilities, and reigns supreme within its constitutional realm 
A) the right of a national law or regulation to preclude enforcement of a state or local law or regulation 
B) an agreement among two or more states that must be approved by Congress 
C) the legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed 
D) a requirement the national government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds 
E) a strict separation of powers between the national and state governments in which each layer has its own responsibilities, and reigns supreme within its constitutional realm

Question 12

Which of the following statements about the growth of national government is true?

Accepted Answer

A) Throughout the past two centuries, power has accrued to the national government. 
B) The national government cannot supervise relationships between multinational corporations and their thousands of worldwide employees. 
C) With the changing politics of federalism, Congress is being pressured to increase the size and scope of national programs. 
D) State governments cannot supervise the relationships between small merchants and their few employees. 
E) The national budget can become a positive subject for Congress if it grows too large. 
A) Throughout the past two centuries, power has accrued to the national government. 
B) The national government cannot supervise relationships between multinational corporations and their thousands of worldwide employees. 
C) With the changing politics of federalism, Congress is being pressured to increase the size and scope of national programs. 
D) State governments cannot supervise the relationships between small merchants and their few employees. 
E) The national budget can become a positive subject for Congress if it grows too large.

Question 13

Briefly describe the supremacy clause and the commerce clause.

Accepted Answer

An ideal response would be:
Contained in

Question 14

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is ________.

Accepted Answer

A) both a categorical and formula grant 
B) both a block and formula grant 
C) a project grant 
D) a block grant only 
E) a formula grant only 
A) both a categorical and formula grant 
B) both a block and formula grant 
C) a project grant 
D) a block grant only 
E) a formula grant only

Question 15

Evaluate the disadvantages of federalism.

Accepted Answer

An ideal response would be:
The disadvan

Question 16

Which of the following is true with regard to the commerce clause?

Accepted Answer

A) Contained in Article I of the Constitution, the clause sets forth the implied powers of Congress. 
B) It refers to the clause that states that Congress has the right to make all laws essential to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government. 
C) It refers to the clause in the Constitution that requires each state to recognize the civil judgments rendered by the courts of the other states and to accept their public records and acts as valid. 
D) It refers to the clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations. 
E) Contained in Article VI of the Constitution, the clause gives national laws the absolute power even when states have enacted a competing law. 
A) Contained in Article I of the Constitution, the clause sets forth the implied powers of Congress. 
B) It refers to the clause that states that Congress has the right to make all laws essential to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government. 
C) It refers to the clause in the Constitution that requires each state to recognize the civil judgments rendered by the courts of the other states and to accept their public records and acts as valid. 
D) It refers to the clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations. 
E) Contained in Article VI of the Constitution, the clause gives national laws the absolute power even when states have enacted a competing law.

Question 17

The ________ clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) sets forth the implied powers of Congress.

Accepted Answer

A) necessary and proper 
B) supremacy 
C) commerce 
D) full faith and credit 
E) extradition 
A) necessary and proper 
B) supremacy 
C) commerce 
D) full faith and credit 
E) extradition

Question 18

________ is defined as a recent effort to reduce the national government's power by returning, or devolving responsibilities to the states.It is sometimes characterized as part of the devolution revolution.

Accepted Answer

A) Dual federalism 
B) Cooperative federalism 
C) New federalism 
D) Permissive federalism 
E) Coercive federalism 
A) Dual federalism 
B) Cooperative federalism 
C) New federalism 
D) Permissive federalism 
E) Coercive federalism

Question 19

List the four purposes served by national grants.

Accepted Answer

An ideal response would be:
National gra

Question 20

Which of the following statements is true about the advantages of federalism?

Accepted Answer

A) The division of power makes it easy for voters to hold elected officials accountable. 
B) Dividing power between the center and the states makes it far easier for the government to respond quickly to national problems. 
C) By emphasizing uniformity, federalism helps boost cohesiveness in the society. 
D) Variation in policies reduces redundancies, inefficiencies, and inequalities. 
E) Federalism provides training and creates opportunities for future national leaders. 
A) The division of power makes it easy for voters to hold elected officials accountable. 
B) Dividing power between the center and the states makes it far easier for the government to respond quickly to national problems. 
C) By emphasizing uniformity, federalism helps boost cohesiveness in the society. 
D) Variation in policies reduces redundancies, inefficiencies, and inequalities. 
E) Federalism provides training and creates opportunities for future national leaders.

What are the implications of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995?

________ refers to a constitutional arrangement in which sovereign nations or states, through a constitutional compact, create a central government but carefully limit its power and do not give it direct authority over individuals.

Which of the following statements is true about the disadvantages of federalism?

The Constitution allows states to tax foreign ships.

Conducting elections and coining money are examples of powers reserved for state governments.

________ is defined as a way to improve government performance by encouraging state and local governments to contend against each other for residents, businesses, investment, and national funding.

Information about state action spreads quickly from government to government, especially during periods when the national government is relatively slow to respond to pressing issues.

The growth of the national economy and the creation of national transportation and communications networks altered people's attitudes toward the national government.

Centralists believe that the national government should not interfere with activities reserved for the states.

Briefly explain the powers of the national government.

Preemption is best described as ________.

Which of the following statements about the growth of national government is true?

Briefly describe the supremacy clause and the commerce clause.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is ________.

Evaluate the disadvantages of federalism.

Which of the following is true with regard to the commerce clause?

The ________ clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) sets forth the implied powers of Congress.

________ is defined as a recent effort to reduce the national government's power by returning, or devolving responsibilities to the states.It is sometimes characterized as part of the devolution revolution.

List the four purposes served by national grants.

Which of the following statements is true about the advantages of federalism?

State and Local Politics

State Constitutions: Charters or Straightjackets

Parties and Elections in the States

State Legislatures

State Governors

Judges and the Justice in the States

Local Governments and Metropolitics

Making State and Local Policy

People and Money in State and Local Governments

Filters

Exam 2: American Federalism

What are the implications of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995?

________ refers to a constitutional arrangement in which sovereign nations or states, through a constitutional compact, create a central government but carefully limit its power and do not give it direct authority over individuals.

Which of the following statements is true about the disadvantages of federalism?

The Constitution allows states to tax foreign ships.

Conducting elections and coining money are examples of powers reserved for state governments.

________ is defined as a way to improve government performance by encouraging state and local governments to contend against each other for residents, businesses, investment, and national funding.

Information about state action spreads quickly from government to government, especially during periods when the national government is relatively slow to respond to pressing issues.

The growth of the national economy and the creation of national transportation and communications networks altered people's attitudes toward the national government.

Centralists believe that the national government should not interfere with activities reserved for the states.

Briefly explain the powers of the national government.

Preemption is best described as ________.

Which of the following statements about the growth of national government is true?

Briefly describe the supremacy clause and the commerce clause.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is ________.

Evaluate the disadvantages of federalism.

Which of the following is true with regard to the commerce clause?

The ________ clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) sets forth the implied powers of Congress.

________ is defined as a recent effort to reduce the national government's power by returning, or devolving responsibilities to the states.It is sometimes characterized as part of the devolution revolution.

List the four purposes served by national grants.

Which of the following statements is true about the advantages of federalism?

State and Local Politics

State Constitutions: Charters or Straightjackets

Parties and Elections in the States

State Legislatures

State Governors

Judges and the Justice in the States

Local Governments and Metropolitics

Making State and Local Policy

People and Money in State and Local Governments

Filters