PSCI 180: American Government - Ch. 3

_____ are federal laws and regulations that impose obligations on state and local governments without fully compensating them for the administrative costs they incur.

Unfunded mandates

unitary system

a centralized system of government in which the subnational government is dependent on the central government, where substantial authority is concentrated

categorical grant

a federal transfer formulated to limit recipients' discretion in the use of funds and subject them to strict administrative criteria

ex post facto law

a law that criminalizes an act retroactively; prohibited under the Constitution

creeping categorization

a process in which the national government attaches new administrative requirements to block grants or supplants them with new categorical grants

cooperative federalism

a style of federalism in which both levels of government coordinate their actions to solve national problems, leading to the blending of layers as in a marble cake

dual federalism

a style of federalism in which the states and national government exercise exclusive authority in distinctly delineated spheres of jurisdiction, creating a layer-cake view of federalism

new federalism

a style of federalism premised on the idea that the decentralization of policies enhances administrative efficiency, reduces overall public spending, and improves outcomes

block grant

a type of grant that comes with less stringent federal administrative conditions and provide recipients more latitude over how to spend grant funds

federalism

an institutional arrangement that creates two relatively autonomous levels of government, each possessing the capacity to act directly on the people with authority granted by the national constitution

unfunded mandates

federal laws and regulations that impose obligations on state and local governments without fully compensating them for the costs of implementation

An adoption certificate or driver's license issued in one state is valid in any other state because of what clause in the Constitution?

full faith and credit clause

In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court invoked which provisions of the constitution?

necessary and proper clause and supremacy clause

All of the following are concurrent powers of the federal government and state government except _____.

provide for public health, safety, welfare, and morals

concurrent powers

shared state and federal powers that range from taxing, borrowing, and making and enforcing laws to establishing court systems

Which statement is most accurate about the sources of revenue for local and state governments?

Between 30 and 40 percent of the revenue for local and state governments comes from grant money.

What were the implications of McCulloch v. Maryland for federalism?

The McCulloch decision established the doctrine of implied powers, meaning the federal government can create policy instruments deemed necessary and appropriate to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. The case also affirmed the principle of national supremacy embodied in Article VI of the Constitution, namely, that the Constitution and legitimate federal laws trump state laws.

Which statement about federal grants in recent decades is most accurate?

The amount of federal grant money going to states has steadily increased since the 1960s.

What key constitutional provisions define the scope of authority of the federal and state governments?

The following parts of the Constitution sketch the powers of the states and the federal government: Article I, Section 8; the supremacy clause of Article VI; and the Tenth Amendment. The following parts of the Constitution detail the limits on their authority: Article I, Sections 9 and 10; Bill of Rights; Fourteenth Amendment; and the civil rights amendments.

Which is not a merit of cooperative federalism?

Cooperative federalism respects the traditional jurisdictional boundaries between states and federal government.

A federal structure of government aims to balance the power between the national and state governments. The United States perfectly demonstrates this principle as there has been a clear balance of power between the federal government and the state governments since the founding of our nation.

False

Which of the following is not a benefit of federalism?

Federalism encourages economic equality across the country.

Which statement about new federalism is not true?

President Reagan was able to promote new federalism consistently throughout his administration.

Which statement about federal and unitary systems is most accurate?

In a federal system, the constitution allocates powers between states and federal government; in a unitary system, powers are lodged in the national government.

Which statement about federal and unitary systems is the most accurate?

In a federal system, the constitution allocates powers between states and federal government; in a unitary system, powers are lodged in the national government.

Which statement about unfunded mandates is false?

New federalism does not promote the use of unfunded mandates.