Chapter Four Government
What must happen before the national government will provide emergency relief to state and local government? A. Public opinion must demand that leaders in Washington intervene. B. State and local governments must have depleted all their own resources to provide emergency services themselves. C. State and local governments must request and approve emergency relief from the national government. D. The national government must deem emergency relief politically necessary.
C. State and local governments must request and approve emergency relief from the national government.
Under the Articles of Confederation, states generally felt which of the following with regard to the federal government? A. States wanted to abolish the federal government completely. B. Southern states opposed the federal government while Northern states supported it. C. States enjoyed their sovereignty from the federal government. D. States felt that the federal government had far too much power over their affairs.
C. States enjoyed their sovereignty from the federal government.
Why did Maryland decide to tax the national bank? A. Anti-Federalists in the Maryland legislature wanted to test the limits of national power. B. The federal government had previously taxed state banks excessively. C. The United States started borrowing almost exclusively from the national bank instead of state banks. D. Maryland had a standing law that all banks would be taxed equally.
C. The United States started borrowing almost exclusively from the national bank instead of state banks.
Which of the following characterizes the evolution of the balance of power between state, local, and national governments? A. Local governments have assumed sole responsibility for domestic issues. B. The debate surrounding the balance of power has almost completely disappeared. C. The federal government has progressively assumed greater responsibility for domestic and economic issues. D. State governments share virtually none of the same powers as the federal government.
C. The federal government has progressively assumed greater responsibility for domestic and economic issues.
According to James Madison, a tyranny of the majority could be avoided in which of the following ways? A. by limiting the sphere of government B. by having fewer distinct groups in society C. by having a diversity of views D. by decreasing political participation
C. by having a diversity of views
How did the national government ensure cooperation with its policies during the era of coercive federalism? A. by limiting the reach of the Commerce Clause B. through federal grants-in-aid C. by threatening to remove funding from programs D. through social programs aimed at increasing civil rights
C. by threatening to remove funding from programs
What is it called when the federal government delegates power to the states? A. dual federalism B. grants-in-aid C. devolution D. unfunded mandates
C. devolution
Washington has legalized the production, distribution, and use of marijuana within the state. With which of the following regulations does this policy conflict? A. health recommendations issued by the American Medical Association B. local laws that make marijuana illegal C. federal laws that make marijuana illegal D. state regulations that prohibit marijuana in the workplace
C. federal laws that make marijuana illegal
According to the text, proponents of new federalism support which of he following measures? A. decreasing the federal deficit B. maximizing the amount of unfunded mandates C. returning power to the states D. increasing the size of the federal government
C. returning power to the states (Proponents of new federalism support returning power to the states, protecting states' rights, and limiting the use of unfunded mandates.)
Events such as the Civil War and the Great Depression have generally resulted in which of the following? A. fewer government agencies B. a shrinking of the executive branch C. shifts in the balance of power toward the federal government D. increased state power relative to the federal government
C. shifts in the balance of power toward the federal government
What type of issues led to the shift from cooperative to coercive federalism? Choose the BEST answer. A. budgetary B. voting rights C. social D. national defense
C. social (The issues that caused a shift from cooperative to coercive federalism were primarily social in nature, involving things like racism, crime, and the environment.)
Clinton's 1998 executive order on federalism reflected ideas primarily attributed to which of the following? A. the anti-Federalists B. the suffragists C. the Federalists D. the Republican Party
C. the Federalists
Which governmental institution is PRIMARILY credited with the most recent shift in the balance of power between the state and federal governments? A. the executive branch B. the House of Representatives C. the Supreme Court D. the Senate
C. the Supreme Court
Madison's concept of "double security" was PRIMARILY intended to check which of the following? A. the growth of state power B. the rising Confederacy C. the abuse of political power D. the executive branch
C. the abuse of political power
Which president was responsible for a shift toward the modern welfare state? A. Harry Truman B. Herbert Hoover C. Theodore Roosevelt D. Franklin Roosevelt
D. Franklin Roosevelt (credited with laying the foundation for the development of the modern welfare system.)
Why was Maryland's tax on the national bank ultimately found to be unconstitutional? A. Taxes on all government-owned banks are unconstitutional. B. Taxes on all government-owned banks are unconstitutional. C. The tax would have bankrupted the national government. D. State governments do not have power over the national government.
D. State governments do not have power over the national government.
According to the text, debate over which issue caused the secession of the Southern states prior to the Civil War? Choose the BEST answer? A. economic freedom B. civil liberties C. equal rights D. state sovereignty
D. state sovereignty (According to the text, the philosophical debate pertaining to state sovereignty caused the secession of the Southern states prior to the Civil War.)
How does addressing a public health crisis BEST relate to the concept of Federalism? A. In a federal system, both states and the national government have powers that can affect the issues brought on by a public health crisis. B. In a federal system, power shifts to the states to resolve their own public health problems. C. In a federal system, neither the states nor the national government has the power to address public health issues. D. In a federal system, the national government is the only government entity with the power to address matters of public health.
A. In a federal system, both states and the national government have powers that can affect the issues brought on by a public health crisis. (The Constitution grants concurrent economic powers to the states and national government.)
Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding the nature of the modern federal system? A. It is characterized by a struggle to balance power between the federal and state governments. B. The debate over the balance of power between the federal and state governments has largely been resolved. C. The backlash from the states in response to growing national power has been greatly reduced. D. It is characterized by a power struggle that has overwhelmingly favored the states.
A. It is characterized by a struggle to balance power between the federal and state governments.
Why was the health care reform legislation challenged in court? A. Opponents of the law felt that the federal government had overstepped its authority. B. Opponents of the law felt that the reforms wouldn't fix any of the problems with the health care system in the United States. C. Opponents of the law felt that the United States needed a nationwide single-payer health care system. D. Opponents of the law felt that there was nothing wrong with the health care system in the United States.
A. Opponents of the law felt that the federal government had overstepped its authority. (Opponents of the law challenged it in court because they felt that the federal government had overstepped its constitutional authority.)
Why did the federal government first decide to charter national banks? A. State-owned banks were charging the federal government too much interest on loans to pay debts from the War of 1812. B. State-owned banks had declared bankruptcy as a result of debt accumulated during the War of 1812. C. One of Congress's enumerated powers under the Constitution is the authority to charter national banks. D. State government officials requested that the federal government charter a national bank to lend states money.
A. State-owned banks were charging the federal government too much interest on loans to pay debts from the War of 1812. (The federal government decided to charter the first two national banks because state-owned banks were charging the federal government too much interest on the loans it had taken out to cover the costs of the War of 1812.)
Why did Chief Justice John Marshall hold that the United States did have the power to charter a national bank? A. The Necessary and Proper Clause, in combination with the enumerated power of Congress to regulate commerce and coin money, gives Congress the implied power to charter a national bank. B. The power to charter a bank is an implied power of the president. C. The power to charter a bank is an enumerated power of Congress. D. The Supremacy Clause, in combination with the enumerated power of Congress to borrow money on the credit of the United States, gives Congress the implied power to establish banks in order to pay off war debts.
A. The Necessary and Proper Clause, in combination with the enumerated power of Congress to regulate commerce and coin money, gives Congress the implied power to charter a national bank.
Scientific and technological developments affect issues of federalism in which of the following ways? A. They create the potential for more government oversight and new regulations. B. They engender national disengagement from environmental protection efforts. C. They tend to create stricter boundaries between states, counties, and towns. D. They lead to the creation of fewer government agencies.
A. They create the potential for more government oversight and new regulations.
According to the decision in McCulloch v. Maryland, which of the following laws would have the final say in this issue? A. U.S. laws regulating controlled substances B. international drug-trafficking laws C. Seattle municipal laws regulating transportation D. Washington state laws regulating controlled substances
A. U.S. laws regulating controlled substances
The first question before the Court was whether Congress could even charter a bank at all. Why was this an issue? A. Chartering a bank was not among Congress's implied powers. B. Chartering banks was exclusively the province of state governments, according to the Constitution. C. Chartering banks would lead to government corruption by allowing members of Congress undue influence over financial markets. D. Chartering a bank was not among Congress's enumerated powers.
D. Chartering a bank was not among Congress's enumerated powers.
Based on your reading of the Supremacy Clause of Article VI, which of the following actions would be considered unconstitutional? A. a state court ruling that conflicts with the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage B. the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which allowed the federal government to monitor state-run elections C. a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation that overrules a state court judgment involving food-safety labels D. an amendment to a state constitution that establishes the right to religious freedom at the state level
A. a state court ruling that conflicts with the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage (According t)o the Supremacy Clause, whenever there is a conflict between state and federal courts, the federal court decision overrules the state court decision.
The national government withholding highway funding from states until they comply with national laws represents an example of which of the following? A. coercive federalism B. state sovereignty C. dual federalism D. unconstitutionality
A. coercive federalism
Federalism is BEST described as which of the following? A. division of power between the federal and state governments B. a policy designed to enhance the power of the federal government C. division of power between the three branches of government D. division of power between civilian and military leadership
A. division of power between the federal and state governments
Which of the following terms captures what the case was really about? A. federalism B. civil rights C. judicial review D. executive authority
A. federalism
When McCulloch v. Maryland was heard before the Supreme Court, John Marshall was the chief justice. Given that he was a federalist, how would you expect him to rule in this case? A. in favor of McCulloch B. in favor of state banks C. in favor of Philadelphia D. in favor of Maryland
A. in favor of McCulloch
What issue led to conflict between the FCC and state lawmakers? A. net neutrality B. broadband access C. interstate internet sales tax D. commercial speech
A. net neutrality (Conflict arose between the FCC and state lawmakers when the FCC effectively ended the policy of net neutrality in 2017. State legislatures responded by passing their own legislation forbidding internet service providers from discriminating across web services—thus supporting net neutrality on their own.)
The federal government became more involved in state and local matters through which of the following measures? A. the use of grants-in-aid B. hiring bureaucrats to take over state and local governments C. creating federally funded public schools D. creating new state and local programs
A. the use of grants-in-aid (Through grants-in-aid, the national government provided funding to state and local governments to support public programs designed to create jobs and stimulate the economy.)
What did Marshall mean in saying that "the power to tax is the power to destroy"? A. Taxes tend to hurt the poor more than they hurt businesses or the wealthy. B. A sufficiently high tax could ensure that no institution could survive. C. High taxes are unconstitutional because they violate private-property rights. D. A federal income tax is an unconstitutional exercise of congressional power.
B. A sufficiently high tax could ensure that no institution could survive.
What was the second question before the Court? A. Can a federal institution tax a state government? B. Can a state tax a federal institution? C. Can the federal government tax nonprofit organizations? D. Can a bank be owned by members of Congress?
B. Can a state tax a federal institution?
Why did President Clinton suspend Executive Order 1303? A. He became a states' rights advocate. C. It was unconstitutional. D. He received pressure from Congress.
B. He received pressure from state and local governments.
Which of the following is considered weakness of a federal system? A. It discourages separatism and secession. B. It hinders policy development and leads to budgetary inefficiency. C. It promotes the division of labor within government. D. It satisfies citizens' need for participation with frequent elections and complex government.
B. It hinders policy development and leads to budgetary inefficiency.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 contained which of the following provisions? A. It excluded children under 26 from their parents' health insurance plans. B. It mandated that all citizens have medical insurance. C. It allowed insurance companies to discriminate against individuals with preexisting conditions. D. It limited Medicaid coverage.
B. It mandated that all citizens have medical insurance.
Which of the following is considered a strength of a federal system? A. It limits oversight and accountability. B. It provides more opportunities for political participation. C. It hinders policy development. D. It depends on state compliance.
B. It provides more opportunities for political participation.
According to the text, which of the following represents a major problem with decentralization? A. Federal and state governments must share power. B. It results in highly inefficient policies. C. Policy development is universalistic. D. It creates an inability to experiment with different policy solutions.
B. It results in highly inefficient policies.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal legislation did which of the following? A. It successfully installed extra judges on the Supreme Court. B. It ushered in an era during which the powers of the federal government were protected by the Supreme Court. C. It resulted in a deepening of the Great Depression. D. It lessened the power of the central government in relation to the power of the states.
B. It ushered in an era during which the powers of the federal government were protected by the Supreme Court. (particularly under the Commerce Clause.)
Modern federalism, or the system in place since the 1930s, has been characterized by which of the following? A. a steady increase in the power of state governments B. a commingling of national and state responsibilities C. a steady increase in the power of the federal government D. distinct policy jurisdictions between the federal and state governments
B. a commingling of national and state responsibilities
Incentives provided by grants-in-aid act as a substitute for which of the following? Choose the BEST answer. A. states' rights B. constitutional authority C. dual federalism . D. the Commerce Clause
B. constitutional authority
During the age of dual federalism, the Supreme Court limited the power of the national government through its interpretation of which portion of the Constitution? A. the Supremacy Clause B. the Commerce Clause C. the Necessary and Proper Clause D. the Full Faith and Credit Clause
B. the Commerce Clause
Which of the following statements about federalism is correct? A. Ensuring federalism was one of the easier tasks undertaken by the Framers of the Constitution. B. The Framers generally followed the model of federalism outlined in the Articles of Confederation. C. Federalism primarily entails the growth of the federal government. D. Federalism was a subject of intense debate during the drafting of the Constitution.
D. Federalism was a subject of intense debate during the drafting of the Constitution. (The Framers needed to make the central government stronger while maintaining the strength of the states, so federalism was a subject of intense debate during the drafting of the Constitution.)
Reagan's vision of federalism differed from most other modern presidents' visions in which of the following ways? A. He believed that the federal government should play a significant role in the regulation of industry and transportation. B. He endorsed unfunded mandates. C. He believed that state power should be secondary to that of the federal government. D. He believed that a federal system should limit the scope of government in order to protect civil liberties.
D. He believed that a federal system should limit the scope of government in order to protect civil liberties.
Which of the following explanations BEST describes the meaning of the above clause from article I, Section 8 of the Constitution? A. It enhances the power of the states by allowing them to do whatever is "necessary and proper" to prevent Congress from overstepping its constitutional authority. B. It allows Congress to establish banks or other financial institutions as long as they are deemed "necessary and proper" for maintaining the stability of the nation's economy. C. It limits Congress's power by allowing Congress to pass only those laws that are "necessary and proper" for it to uphold and defend the principles in the Constitution. D. It expands Congress's power by allowing Congress to pass any laws that are "necessary and proper" for it to carry out its enumerated powers under the Constitution.
D. It expands Congress's power by allowing Congress to pass any laws that are "necessary and proper" for it to carry out its enumerated powers under the Constitution.
How can the most recent version of federalism be characterized? A. The states are now more powerful than the federal government. B. The federal government dominates the states more than ever before. C. There has been no change in federalism since the mid-20th century. D. Some power has shifted back to the states.
D. Some power has shifted back to the states.
Why are pot growers on Vashon Island concerned about transporting their product across Puget Sound? A. The waterways are notorious areas of piracy and lawlessness. B. The waterways are patrolled by anti-drug vigilantes. C. The waterways are regulated by the Washington State Police. D. The waterways are regulated by federal agencies.
D. The waterways are regulated by federal agencies. (Pot growers on Vashon Island are concerned about transporting their product to the mainland because Puget Sound waterways are regulated by federal agencies.)
A federal policy that requires states to comply without receiving federal funds to cover the cost of the policy is an example of what? A. cooperative federalism B. dual federalism C. a block grant D. an unfunded mandate
D. an unfunded mandate (When states are asked to comply or implement federal policy without financial assistance, the policy is often referred to as an unfunded mandate.)
Which type of federalism is characterized by the national and state governments working independently of each other? A. coercive B. cooperative D. dual D. marble cake
D. dual
The issue that acted as a catalyst in the shift toward cooperative federalism was PRIMARILY of what nature? A. expansion of executive power B. civil rights C. a matter of national defense in the buildup to World War II D. economic and financial
D. economic and financial (The issue that acted as a catalyst in the shift toward cooperative federalism (the stock market crash and Great Depression) was primarily economic and financial in nature.)
Which of the following characterizes the power of the national government during the age of dual federalism? A. relatively high in comparison to the states B. working together with the states C. unlimited by the Supreme Court D. pertaining mainly to commerce, defense, and international trade
D. pertaining mainly to commerce, defense, and international trade
According to his 1966 statement, President Johnson considered the establishment of which federal agency to be "an essential building block" for the future of the United States? A. the National Aeronautics and Space Administration B. the Federal Aviation Administration C. the Federal Communications Commission D. the Department of Transportation
D. the Department of Transportation