AP Gov and Pol: Chapters 1-3 FRQ

Cooperative federalism is a term often used to describe the complex fiscal relationship between the national and state governments. In your response, do the following: A. Discuss the concept of categorical grants. B. Explain an advantage and disadvantage of categorical grants. C. Discuss the concept of block grants. D. Explain an advantage and a disadvantage of block grants.

Categorical grants are grants that appropriate federal funds to states for a specific purpose (only spent on certain things). One advantage of categorical grants is to control over spending for its intended purposes. One disadvantage of categorical grants is that the federal gov't has more control of the money and funds can't be diverted in other categories. Block grants are grants given to states by the federal gov't with only general spending guidelines (it allows state and local gov't to choose how money is spent). One advantage of block grants is that they allow the states flexibility in spending and less restrictive. One disadvantage of block grants is that money can be used ineffectively.

As a way to organize government, federalism has both advantages and disadvantages. A. Define federalism. B. Describe two (2) advantages of federalism. C. For one advantage of federalism you identified in "b", give a specific example of how the advantage operates in the US political system. D. Describe one disadvantage of federalism. E. For the disadvantage you identified in "d", give a specific example of how the disadvantage operates in the US political system.

Federalism is a system that divides up power between a strong national gov't and smaller local gov'ts. One advantage of federalism is that it helps many Americans feels close to their home state, and it maintains that connection by giving power to the states. Another advantage is that it ensures separation of powers and prevents tyranny. Even if a person or group took control of all three branches of gov't, federalism ensures state gov'ts would still function independently. A disadvantage is that it leads to lack of accountability. The overlap of boundaries among national and state gov't makes it tricky to assign blame for failed policies.

Government is a set of institutions by which people make collective decisions. A. Identify three functions government serves. B. Provide two explanations why people might choose to use government to pursue these functions.

Three functions government serves include to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, and provide for the common defense. People might choose to use government to pursue these functions because