Ap Gov Study
Which of the following is the best example of a categorical grant? A Money given to states for special education programs B Money given to individuals in the form of tax rebates C Money given to states unconditionally D Money given to states to spend at their discretion on transportation E Money given directly to private business for economic development
A Money given to states for special education programs
States and localities have the most discretion in establishing policy when federal funding is derived from A categorical grants B matching grants C block grants D project grants E grants-in-aid
C block grants
Which of the following policies would the states most likely prefer according to the political cartoon? A Federal mandates B Regulatory preemption C Block grants D Categorical grants
C block grants
Which of the following policies involves more state spending than federal spending? A Military policy B Social security C Education D Medicare E Veterans affairs
C education
In the United States political system, the term Federalism refers to A limits on the powers of the state governments B limits on the powers of the national government C the division of powers between the levels of government D the fundamental basis of law E legal authority of the courts to hear cases
C the division of powers between the levels of government
The Americans with Disabilities Act, which provides protections for the disabled, is an example of A state supremacy B horizontal federalism C affirmative action D dual federalism E a federal mandate
E federal mandate
Which of the following constitutional principles most directly addresses the relationship between the national and state governments? A Checks and balances B The Bill of Rights C Separation of powers D Representation E Federalism
E federalism
All of the following are consequences of the federal system in the United States EXCEPT A inequality in government services across subnational entities B opportunities for experimentation in government programs C multiple points of access for interest groups D decentralization of political conflict E a strict division of power among levels of government
E. A strict division of power among levels of government
The supremacy clause in the Constitution states that A federal law takes precedence over state law when the laws conflict B only Congress may declare war C the Senate should have a greater role in foreign affairs than does the House of Representatives D the federal government has the right to regulate interstate commerce E the Supreme Court has the power to overturn decisions of lower courts
A federal law takes precedence over state law when the laws conflict
The following questions refer to the following excerpt from a United States Supreme Court decision. "We are unanimously of opinion, that the law passed by the legislature of Maryland, imposing a tax on the Bank of the United States, is unconstitutional and void...This is a tax on the operation of an instrument employed by the government of the Union to carry its powers into execution. Such a tax must be unconstitutional..." The decision of the Supreme Court upheld the principle that A the federal government and the state governments are equal B Congress has only those powers specifically enumerated in the Constitution C Congress has the power to make laws to carry out its constitutional duties D taxation without representation is unconstitutional E the federal government alone may levy taxes
C Congress has the power to make laws to carry out its constitutional duties
Which of the following is the most accurate interpretation of the political cartoon? A State governments have used the Tenth Amendment to override the federal government's mandates. B State governments are unwilling to share their budgetary surpluses with other states. C State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent. D The fiscal irresponsibility of state governments has led to increased federal regulation on their budgetary priorities.
C State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent.
Which of the following is an accurate description of the decision in United States v. Lopez (1995) ? A The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was upheld as constitutional because regulating arms is an enumerated power. B The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was upheld as constitutional because any interstate commerce is implied in the commerce clause. C The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was struck down as unconstitutional because it exceeded the commerce clause. D The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was struck down because it exceeded the state's power to regulate guns.
C The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was struck down as unconstitutional because it exceeded the commerce clause.
Which of the following best defines the constitutional interpretation of federalism? A The federal government and the states each have separate and mutually exclusive roles and responsibilities; neither controls the other. B The states have some powers reserved to them which they may exercise if the Supreme Court permits. C The federal government and the states have separate but overlapping powers; where these powers conflict the federal government prevails. D The states may only exercise those powers delegated to them by Congress. E The federal government may exercise only those powers specifically enumerated in the Constitution.
C The federal government and the states have separate but overlapping powers; where these powers conflict the federal government prevails.
A prominent example of the process of returning more of the responsibilities of governing from the national level to the state level is A immigration reform B trade reform C welfare reform D campaign finance reform E national security reform
C Welfare reform
Of the following, which has been used most to expand the power of the national government? A The commerce clause of the Constitution B The habeas corpus clause of the Constitution C The bill of attainder clause of the Constitution D The First Amendment E The Fifth Amendment
A The commerce clause of the Constitution
Which of the following statements about the federal government between 1948 and 1978 is supported by the chart? A Federal government spending increased primarily to keep pace with increasing employment. B Short-term decreases in the number of federal regulations led to decreases in spending and employment. C The bulk of the increase in federal spending resulted from wage increases. D A relatively stable number of employees administered larger federal budgets and enforced more regulations. E The high cost of regulation prevented the federal government from hiring more workers.
D A relatively stable number of employees administered larger federal budgets and enforced more regulations.
Which of the following is an accurate description of the decision in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) ? A The federal government exceeded its authority in establishing a national bank, and Maryland's tax was unconstitutional. B Maryland was within its authority to tax the federal government, but the Bank of the United States exceeded federal authority. C The federal government had the authority to establish a national bank, but it had to pay Maryland's tax. D The federal government had the authority to establish a national bank, and Maryland's tax was unconstitutional.
D The federal government had the authority to establish a national bank, and Maryland's tax was unconstitutional.
Cooperative federalism can best be described by which of the following statements? A Different levels of government are involved in common policy areas. B Government must have cooperation from the people in order to make legislative decisions. C Local levels of government can make decisions on issues more efficiently than state and national governments can. D The federal government must make regulations that can be applied across every state in the same way. E Business and government can work together to more effectively accomplish shared goals.
A Different levels of government are involved in common policy areas.
Which of the following public policy problems is most likely to result from the situation shown in the chart? A Government employees may become responsible for larger bodies of regulation than they can effectively monitor. B Regulations may apply to an increasingly small portion of industry as the economy grows. C Governmental hiring patterns may draw too many educated workers from the private sector. D The influence of special-interest groups may increase as the number of federal employees grows. E Increases in the number of federal employees may necessitate the construction of new and expensive federal facilities.
A Government employees may become responsible for larger bodies of regulation than they can effectively monitor.
In McCulloch v. Maryland , the Supreme Court established which of the following principles? A States cannot interfere with or tax the legitimate activities of the federal government. B The judicial branch cannot intervene in political disputes between the President and Congress. C The federal Bill of Rights places no limitations on the states. D The federal government has the power to regulate commerce. E It is within the judiciary's authority to interpret the constitution.
A States cannot interfere with or tax the legitimate activities of the federal government.
Which of the following clauses in the Constitution justifies the "implied powers doctrine" ? A The necessary and proper clause B The privileges and immunities clause C The contract clause D The debts and engagements clause E The executive power clause
A The necessary and proper clause
Which of the following constitutional provisions broadened the power of Congress? A The necessary and proper clause B The equal protection clause C The Tenth Amendment D The Ninth Amendment E The eminent domain provision in the Fifth Amendment
A The necessary and proper clause
point The following questions refer to the following excerpt from a United States Supreme Court decision. "We are unanimously of opinion, that the law passed by the legislature of Maryland, imposing a tax on the Bank of the United States, is unconstitutional and void...This is a tax on the operation of an instrument employed by the government of the Union to carry its powers into execution. Such a tax must be unconstitutional..." Which of the following resulted from this Supreme Court decision? A The power of the national government was strengthened. B The power of the Supreme Court was weakened. C The power of state governments to tax individual citizens was clearly limited. D Congress was given the power to coin money. E Congress alone was given the power to charter banks.
A The power of the national government was strengthened.
Diversity of public policy throughout the United States is primarily a consequence of A federalism B separation of powers C innovation within bureaucratic agencies D decentralization in the Senate E lack of party discipline in the House
A federalism
The reserved powers of the state governments can best be described as those powers A not specifically granted to the national government or denied to the states B implied in the Fifth Amendment C listed specifically in the Tenth Amendment D exercised by both national and state governments E granted to states as part of the implied powers doctrine
A not specifically granted to the national government or denied to the states
Concurrent powers have which of the following effects on the United States political system? A They reinforce the expansion of the power of the national government and the supremacy of the national law. B They eliminate disputes between the states and the national government by creating completely separate spheres of influence. C They foster cooperation between the states and the national government by requiring that the two levels of government work together. D They make it possible for the states and the national government to simultaneously exercise influence in the same areas of public policy.
D They make it possible for the states and the national government to simultaneously exercise influence in the same areas of public policy.
Which of the following forms of financial aid from the national government gives the states the broadest discretion in the spending of money? Categorical grants-in-aid B Foreign aid C Unfunded mandates D Block grants E Military funding
D block grants
Giving state governments greater discretion in deciding how to achieve the specific goals of welfare reform is an example of A an unfunded mandate B implied powers C dual federalism D devolution E affirmative action
D devolution
In a federal system of government, political power is primarily A vested in local governments B vested in the regional governments C vested in the central government D divided between the central government and regional governments E divided between regional governments and local governments
D divided between the central government and regional governments
The following questions refer to the following clause from the Constitution: "The Congress shall have power...to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof." Interpretations of this clause have been central to attempts to define the nature of which of the following aspects of the United States political system? A Republicanism B Pluralism C Due process of law D Federalism E Judicial review
D federalism
Which of the following constitutional principles best explains why there is variation among states on the use of capital punishment? A Separation of powers B Judicial review C Checks and balances D Federalism
D federalism
The decision in United States v. Lopez (1995) reflected new ideas about federalism at the time that can be best characterized by which of the following? A A consolidation of power in the national government based on national supremacy B A delegation of power from the federal government to state governments, increasing state and local sovereignty C A delegation of power from the state governments to the federal government, increasing the power of the United States government D An increase in cooperative federalism, where power and duties are shared between the federal and state governments
B A delegation of power from the federal government to state governments, increasing state and local sovereignty
Which of the following actions did President Johnson suggest he would take to address problems in public schools? A Driving down the cost of education by removing ineffective teachers B Calling on experts to advise the federal government in finding ways to improve public education C Increasing school accountability by requiring schools to show evidence of improvement D Scaling back the role of the federal government and allowing state and local governments to take the lead in education policy
B Calling on experts to advise the federal government in finding ways to improve public education
Which of the following sets of Supreme Court cases best illustrates how views of federalism have shifted in the United States? A Case 1 Case 2 Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) Baker v. Carr (1962) B Case 1 Case 2 McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) United States v. Lopez (1995) C Case 1 Case 2 Roe v. Wade (1973) McDonald v. Chicago (2010) D Case 1 Case 2 Schenck v. United States (1919) New York Times v. United States (1971)
B Case 1 Case 2 McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) United States v. Lopez (1995)
Which of the following actions by the federal government best illustrates the concept of unfunded mandates? A Requiring that polling booths remain open beyond the hours of the workday B Requiring states and municipalities to provide certain services for their citizens without providing resources to pay for those services C Requiring state governments to guarantee short-term bonds issued by large municipalities in their states D Requiring all municipalities to impose a minimum property tax on all residential and business properties E Requiring states and municipalities to privatize many previously publicly funded services
B Requiring states and municipalities to provide certain services for their citizens without providing resources to pay for those services
The clause in the United States Constitution that states that federal law will prevail in the event of a conflict between federal and state law is known as the A necessary and proper clause B supremacy clause C presentment clause D confrontation clause E equal protection clause
B Supremacy Clause
The following questions refer to the following clause from the Constitution: "The Congress shall have power...to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof." The practical effect of this clause has been to A make the legislature the most powerful branch of the national government B allow the national government to extend its powers beyond those enumerated in the Constitution C allow the state governments to nullify federal laws within their borders D give the President uncontested powers in the area of foreign policy E ensure that any powers not delegated by the Constitution to the United States government are reserved to the states and the people
B allow the national government to extend its powers beyond those enumerated in the Constitution
The framers of the United States Constitution left decisions on voting eligibility to the A civil rights agencies B individual states C United States Supreme Court D House of Representatives E Senate
B individual states
The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to A prevent states from taxing agencies of the federal government B reserve powers to the states C restrict the application of judicial review D allow for the burning of the flag as an expression of protest E limit the use of the legislative veto
B reserve powers to the states
By using the phrase "creative federalism," President Johnson is most likely referring to which of the following features of the American system? A The relationship between the federal and state governments evolves over time and flexible enough to permit new forms of interaction. B National policymaking is constrained by the sharing of power between the three branches of government. C The balance of power between the states and federal government has been trending toward more federal regulation and less state control. D Congress may use the commerce clause to address problems in public schools such as lack of resources and school safety.
D. Congress may use the commerce clause to address problems in public schools such as lack of resources and school safety.
Which of the following is a correct statement about the federal government's role in interstate commerce? A The federal government has no role in regulating interstate commerce. B The federal government's role is limited to regulating activities that may lead to federal crimes. C The federal government's role is limited to regulating commerce transported on interstate waterways such as the Mississippi River. D The federal government's role is limited to regulating the transport of agricultural goods. E The federal government's role has been greatly expanded through the interpretation of the interstate commerce clause.
E The federal government's role has been greatly expanded through the interpretation of the interstate commerce clause.
Many scholars argue that categorical grants-in-aid do which of the following? A Give states far too much power over national monies B Broaden state power beyond that outlined in the Constitution C Strengthen the impact of the Tenth Amendment D Give new life to the idea of dual federalism E Weaken the power of state governors and legislators
E Weaken the power of state governors and legislators
The terms "fiscal federalism" and "cooperative federalism" refer to situations in which A the federal government completely dominates state and local governments B states are forbidden any activity that has not been specifically approved by the Supreme Court C the federal judiciary uses its power of judicial review to ensure congressional dominance over state legislatures D state, municipal, and local income taxes are pooled by special agreement and redistributed in accordance with individual need E federal, state, and local governments work together to complete a project, with the federal government providing much of the project funding
E federal, state, and local governments work together to complete a project, with the federal government providing much of the project funding
In contrast to revenue sharing, categorical grants-in-aid provide state and local governments with A substantial discretion in deciding how to use the grants to solve their problems B aid that reflects tax base and population C the power to impose regressive taxes D funds sufficient to support a high level of local service E funds to administer programs clearly specified by the federal government
E funds to administer programs clearly specified by the federal government
The congressional power that has been contested most frequently in the federal courts is the power to A establish post offices B coin money C levy taxes D regulate commerce with foreign nations E regulate interstate commerce
E regulate interstate commerce
The Americans with Disabilities Act was widely unpopular with governors and mayors because it A required that people with disabilities be given equal access to public facilities B required that buildings be retrofitted or remodeled to give equal access to people with disabilities C did not go far enough to establish equal access to public facilities D applied only to federal facilities and did nothing to accommodate people in municipal buildings E required that states and cities pay for federally mandated construction and remodeling
E required that states and cities pay for federally mandated construction and remodeling
The most significant trend in federal-state relations during the 1980s was A giving the federal government control over social welfare programs B bringing about greater equality in the provision of social services in different states C limiting state governments' ability to assess income taxes D expanding the authority of county and municipal governments at the expense of state governments E shifting the responsibilities and costs for many programs to state governments
E shifting the responsibilities and costs for many programs to state governments
Which of the following statements can be supported from information in the table above? 1 Federal grants to state and local governments have increased substantially in total dollar amount since 1950. II In 1994 the federal government devoted a larger percentage of outlays to grants than in 1980. III Between 1980 and 1990, grants decreased as a percentage of federal outlays. IV In 1994 states were more dependent on federal grants for revenue than in 1990, 1970, or 1960
I, III, IV