Dilemmas of Democracy, The Constitution and Federalism [chapt. 1-3]

Sovereignty is a quality possessed by a government that

is supreme in power and authority over a certain area.

The power of the Supreme Court to declare any act of government unconstitutional is called

judicial review.

An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated which no government involvement is called

laissez-faire capitalism.

A candidate who states that, 'government has no business doing most of what it does' is most likely a

libertarian.

Which of the following has no status in the U.S. Constitution?

local governments.

When compared with the U.S. Constitution, most American state constitutions are

longer and more detailed.

The elastic clause is also known as the

necessary and proper clause.

Congress may pass all laws necessary and proper including

neither A nor B

Nixon's attempt to return power the states through block grants is called

new federalism.

The text of the U.S. Constitution deals with slavery by

not mentioning it directly.

In the pluralist model, the main political actors are

organized groups

When formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of the government, it is called

a constitutional system.

A writ of habeas corpus is

a court order allowing a defendant to know the causes for detention.

The separation of powers allows for the division of governmental power

among several institutions. to prevent one branch from gaining control over the government. to help each branch oversee the others. (all of the above)

Totalitarian governments

are free from any legal limits and try to eliminate individuals and groups who oppose their policies.

Richard Nixon's New Federalism

began returning power to the states from the national level.

A law that assigns guilt to a person without trial is called a

bill of attainder.

Some important reasons we need government include

common defense. Safety from crime. (both A and B)

The U.S. Constitution did not give Congress the authority to establish the Internal Revenue Service. Congress did so, however, to implement it's power "to lay and collect taxes." This is an example of the use of a(n)

implied power.

The necessary and proper clause led to Congress having

implied powers.

The Supreme Court's interpretation of the commerce clause has generally served to

increase national power.

The effect of national emergencies and constitutional amendments on federalism has been to

increase the power of the national government.

Most criminal laws are written at the

state level.

The fundamental issue of the Civil War was

states' rights.

The Antifederalists believed in

states' rights. A Bill of Rights. (both A and B)

The 2000 election illustrates the point that

the U.S. Supreme Court can oversee and reverse decisions of the state courts.

Which was the first nation to adopt federalism?

the United States.

Which plan was considered heavily biased in favor of the large states?

the Virginia Plan.

The Articles of a Confederation was

the first written constitution in the United States.

Which metaphor best describes dual federalism?

the layer cake.

The broad, basic definition of government given by the text is

the legitimate use of force within specified geographic boundaries to control human behavior.

Which metaphor best describes cooperative federalism?

the marble cake.

The Tenth Amendment states that powers not delegated to the national government or prohibited to the states are reserved to

the state or the people.

Before women could vote

they led in the moral realm of politics.

In a federal system

two or more governments exercise power and authority over the same people and territory.

The Equal Rights Amendment

was never added to the Constitution.

The promotion of equality

was not a government concern before the 20th century.

At the Founding, who was included in the political community

white, male, property holders.

An understanding of government, politics, and democratic principles is called

political knowledge

Of the following major objectives of government, the most recent one is

promoting equality.

Unfunded mandates are

regulations that impose costs on local or state governments that are not reimbursed by the federal government.

An example of an autocracy is

rule by king.

Plessy v. Ferguson said that

separate facilities were legal if they were equal.

The Three-Fifths Compromise concerned

slavery. The appointment of congressional seats. (both A and B)

Authority over state militias

sometimes falls under the authority of the state and sometimes under the authority of the federal government.

Political involvement, in almost all forms, is lowest among

18-24 year olds

When the federal government limits the purpose of aid to a specific problem or group, it is called a

categorical grant.

We have a Bill of Rights largely because of

Antifederalists pressures.

The first ten amendments to the Constitution are called the

Bill of Rights.

Powers specially granted to Congress are called

Expressed powers (enumerated powers)

The system of government in which power is divided between a central government and regional governments is called

Federalism

Civil rights became part of the Constitution with the

Fourteenth Amendment.

Which amendment allowed the Bill of Rights to be applied to the states

Fourteenth Amendment.

How likely are voters to participate in state and local elections, compared to national elections?

Less likely

According to John Locke the fundamental purpose of government is the protection of

Life. Liberty. Property. (all of the above)

The Supreme Court case that was the first to recline Congress' implied powers was

McCulloch v. Maryland

Which of the following is certain to occur under the U.S. system of federalism?

Overlap in responsibilities of the various levels of government.

Why did the Great Depression signal a more active national government?

The states proved unable to cope with the demands of the poor.

The Civil War Amendments include that

Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments.

The philosopher who described life without government as 'nasty, brutish, and short' was

Thomas Hobbes

The Declaration of Independence had input from many people, but its primary author was

Thomas Jefferson.

The theory of nullification is the idea that

a state could declare a particular act of the federal government null and void.

A republic is

a system of government in which people choose representatives.

A democracy is

a system that permits people to greatly participate in governmental affairs.

The system under which each branch of government is able to influence the other branches is called

checks and balances.

The reasons for British tax increase included

defending the colonies.

Government policies pose dilemmas because they almost always require

difficult choices among conflicting values.

Examples of public goods are

education, parks and roads.

Powers retained by the states include

family law. licensing professions. criminal codes. (all of the above)

Shay's Rebellion consisted of

farmers trying to prevent foreclosure on their property for debts and taxes owed.

The Voting Rights Act represents a(n)

federal attempt to control state legislation.

Which of the following best summarizes the decisions of the Supreme Court with regard to the powers of the national government?

from the 1930s to the 1990s they tend to support the expansion of the national authority; recently, they have been placing limits on that authority.

The Constitutional provision that requires states to recognize actions and decisions taken in other states is called

full faith and credit.

An important federal strategy for creating homogeneity across the states is

grants-in-aid. regulations. (both A and B)

The oldest objective of government is

guaranteeing the safety of life and property.

The Federalist Papers were written to

help ratify the Constitution.

Services that benefit all citizens but are not likely to result from the voluntary acts of individuals are known as

public goods.

The national government's authority over the states is guaranteed in the

supremacy clause.

Which document said that we have 'unalienable rights'?

the Declaration of Independence.

Which amendments guaranteed African Americans males the right to vote?

the Fifteenth Amendment.

Which of the following is not a voting amendment

the Fourteenth Amendment.

Problems for liberty in America have included

the enslavement of African Americans. Government's expansion into economic and social activity. Seatbelt laws. (all of the above)

The Founders' motives for constructing a new constitution centered on

their own economic self-interest. Popular philosophies and moral principles. (both A and B)