Exam 2: American Federalism

The national government is not necessarily more sympathetic to the claims of minorities than state or city governments are.

In ________, the Court held that states were not required to conduct instant national background checks prior to selling a handgun.

List the different advantages of federalism.

Describe the centralist position.

Preemption occurs when a national law or regulation takes precedence over a state or local law or regulation.

In ________ (1819), the Supreme Court had the first of many chances to define the division of power between the national and state governments.

Which of the following statements about national grants is true?

________ is both a categorical and formula grant.

To attack national problems but minimize the growth of national agencies is the most important purpose served by national grants.

Most American citizens do not have strong attachments to the Constitution's federal system measured broadly to mean all levels of government.

In the context of national grants, Republicans have consistently ________.

National grants serve four purposes, the most important of which is to ________.

________ grants for specific purposes, such as Medicaid health care for the poor, are tightly monitored to ensure that the money is spent exactly as directed.

In the context of national grants, Democrats "have consistently favored fewer strings, less national supervision, and the delegation of spending discretion to the state and local governments."

A constitution divides governmental powers between the national government and state governments, giving clearly defined functions to each.

If the constitution of a country vests all governmental power in the central government, then it is most likely to follow a(n) ________ system of governance.

Briefly describe the four types of national grants.

The cost of entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare is declining steadily.

The ________ is both a block and project grant.

________ are powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.