Texas Gov 2306: Chapter 2

On average, state constitutions have been amended approximately ______ times.

150

Of all of Texas's constitutions, which one provided for a strong centralized government?

1869

Which Texas constitution is called the "carpetbagger's constitution"?

1869

In what year did the current Texas Constitution become effective?

1876

Which of the following correctly identify an article of the Texas Constitution and the general topic it addresses?

Article 6: suffrage Article 17: amending the Constitution

In the United States, _________________ separation of power , Incorrect Unavailable both grants and denies powers to the national and state governments.

Constitution

Which of the following is true of constitutions?

Constitutions structure government and divide and assign power

During most of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a system called _________ federalism operated in the U.S., under which the national government exercised powers delegated to it by the Constitution and the state governments provided basic services to citizens

Dual

The 1824 constitution was ______ in concept.

Federalist

The Equal Protection Clause and Due Process Clause of the ____________ Amendment extend protections of the Bill of Rights to the actions of state and local governments.

Fourteenth

Which clause of Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution requires one state to recognize a divorce concluded in another state?

Full Faith and Credit

Advocates of gay marriage argued that Section 2 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which stated that no state must accept another state's definition of marriage, violated the ______ of the Constitution.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

What constitutional clause addresses issues of divorce, child custody, and same-sex marriage across all states?

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Which of the following best describes how the national government affects how state and local governments provide services to citizens?

In providing money to state and local governments, Congress can set standards for how it is spent.

How does the U.S. Constitution create a federal system?

It distributes power between the national and state governments.

Which of the following statements about political culture is accurate?

It drives institutions

As compared to the U.S. Constitution, how does the Texas Constitution address the system of checks and balances?

It is more specific.

What does the supremacy clause do?

It makes the U.S. Constitution the supreme law of the land.

Which of the following describe Article 2 of the Texas Constitution?

It more explicitly refers to the separate checks on the branches of government than does the U.S. Constitution. It discusses the separation of powers in Texas government.

Which of the following is true of the 1861 constitution?

It was essentially the same as the 1845 constitution. It contained a provision to secede from the Union. It prohibited the emancipation of slaves.

In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court provided a broad interpretation of the ______ Clause, giving Congress the authority to pass laws that it deemed appropriate so long as they are consistent with the letter and spirit of the Constitution.

Necessary and Proper

What was the first constitution to govern Anglos in Texas?

Republic of Mexico's Constitution

Which of the following statements about the voter initiative is accurate?

The initiative process allows voters to propose changes to the state constitution. Texas does not have the initiative. An initiative requires the collection of a certain number of signatures within a set time.

In Texas, what is the legislature's role in proposing amendments to the state's constitution?

Two-thirds of each house in the Texas legislature must propose constitutional amendments.

According to legal experts and political theorists, which of the following most closely meets the "ideal characteristics" for a constitution?

U.S. Constitution

Which of the following statements best summarizes voters' responses to the constitutional amendment process in Texas?

Voters approve far more proposed amendments than they reject, thanks to intense efforts by interest groups.

Which of the following was part of the state constitution of Coahuila y Tejas in 1827?

a state religion no recognition of slavery a unicameral legislature

The 1836 constitution of the Republic of Texas provided for

a unitary form of government.

Which phrase best describes a constitutional convention as used in most states?

an assembly of citizens who may propose general revisions to the state constitution

Voters are least likely to vote on a constitutional amendment when the election is

an odd-year election.

The U.S. Constitution specifically denies certain powers to

both the states and the national government.

What was the primary objective of the authors of the 1869 constitution?

centralization

Which of the following are among the enumerated powers of the national government?

coin and regulate money provide for copyrights for authors and inventors develop roads and postal service

Which of the following are among the delegated and reserved powers of the states?

conduct local, state, and national elections protect property rights regulate banks and credit

Based on the current political culture of Texas, the constitution will likely

continue to be amended in a piecemeal process.

The "marble cake" comparison is used to describe ______ federalism, which began in the 1930s.

cooperative

The model of federal-state relations in which the federal government began to supply money to state and local governments to provide assistance to citizens is known as

cooperative federalism.

Articles 9 and 16 of the Texas Constitution concern the

creation and structure of counties in the state

Article 4 of the Texas Constitution

describes the executive branch. sets the length of the governor's term.

Article 5 of the Texas Constitution

describes the judicial branch. outlines the qualifications for judges in Texas.

In a plural executive system, power is

divided among several statewide elected officials

The "layer cake" comparison is used to describe ______ federalism, which began in the 1930s.

dual

Article 7 of the Texas Constitution addresses

education.

As compared to other states, Texas's bill of rights is

equally permissive.

Most state constitutions create a weak ______ branch and a strong ______ branch.

executive; legislative

In its history, Texas has had ______ constitutions.

five

The current Texas Constitution

is in line with voter's desires for decentralization. supports the idea of limited government. is compatible with the political climate of the state.

Like most state constitutions, the Texas Constitution

is lengthy and detailed. does not meet the qualifications of an "ideal constitution."

Written in 1875, the Texas Constitution particularly reflected the strong influence of

landowners

Article 3 of the Texas Constitution refers to the _____________ branch.

legislative

In all states, the ______ can propose changes to the state constitution.

legislature

Which of the following dictates the ballot wording of all constitutional amendments in Texas?

legislature

Initiative-generated amendments are

less likely to succeed than those proposed by state legislatures.

Under President Nixon, state governments were given more discretion in program administration and revenue sharing. The federal--state relationship during this time is referred to as

new federalism.

The Texas Bill of Rights is Article ___________ of the Texas Constitution.

one

What is the exception to the separation of powers in the Texas Constitution?

only expressly permitted instances

Which of the following identify general criticisms that can be made of the Texas Constitution?

overly long constant change unclear organization

Under the principle of popular sovereignty, power rests with the

people.

The constitutional principle that holds that the power granted in state constitutions rests with the people is known as

popular sovereignty.

What does the phrase "separation of powers" mean?

power is divided among three branches of government

Identify the two steps involved in the constitutional amendment process for most states' constitutions.

proposing amendments and citizen approval

The Due Process Clause requires states to

provide protection for citizens in criminal proceedings. treat all citizens equally. follow certain rules and procedures.

The constitution of 1876

reestablished many statewide and local elected offices. restricted the powers of the legislature. reflected the traditionalistic/individualistic political culture of the state.

In order to "promote the general welfare of citizens," the federal government can provide money to state governments in exchange for states agreeing to certain standards. In the case of federal highway funding, states must agree to

set the legal drinking age to 21.

During President Clinton's time in office, federal--state relations were marked by a devolution of power, in which

states were given more authority on program construction and administration.

What stands in the way of broad changes to the Texas Constitution?

the conservative nature of Texas politics

Critics of the Interstate Commerce clause argue that it gives too much power to

the federal government.

Which of the following best describes social contract theory?

the idea that individuals have inalienable rights and willingly submit to government to protect these rights

The Constitution gives the power to provide for copyrights to

the national government.

President Reagan sought to give more power in spending grant money to

the states.

What is the function of statements on civil liberties in state constitutions?

to recognize basic freedoms

In what system of government are all functions centralized and controlled by the national government?

unitary

Voter turnout for constitutional amendments in Texas tends to be low because

voters are not particularly interested in the amendments. amendments are often placed on ballots in odd-numbered years, when there are no state-wide elections.

The 1999 Select Committee on Constitutional Revision found that the Texas Constitution

was not in need of a general revision.