Federalism

Which of the following statements about the distribution of power at the federal and state levels is accurate?

• State laws may violate the U.S. Constitution when dealing with powers reserved to the states.

• The Supremacy Clause makes state law the most powerful authority within state borders.

• Federal law preempts state law, and state law preempts local law.

• State law may preempt federal law under certain circumstances.

What is intended by the Privileges and Immunities of Citizenship Clause of Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution?

• States are not required to enforce the laws of other states on their soil.

• A state cannot treat its citizens differently from citizens of other states.

• States must treat residents and nonresidents the same in all cases.

• States cannot deny federal rights to their citizens.

The 1790 creation of a national bank resulted in a Supreme Court decision that helped establish which of the following?

• the supremacy of federal law over state law

• the rule that only the federal government could establish banks, and that states were prohibited from encroaching on that power

• the federal government’s lack of power to tax interstate commerce

• the Necessary and Proper Clause that prevents Congress from having leeway in deciding the means to carry out the ends required by the Constitution

The framers of the Constitution, who had no trust in popular majorities, decided to

• introduce primary elections as a method of selecting party candidates.

• insulate political power against momentary majorities.

• allow the electoral majority to dictate terms to the governing majority.

• grant the public direct control over elected representatives.

The type of government created in the United States in 1787 is considered to be republic in nature because

• its deliberative institutions moderate the power of each other.

• there is no direct link between an electoral majority and a governing majority.

• the power gained through elections must be exercised in accordance with laws.

• it provides for majority influence through elections.

The difference between the American federal system and a confederation is that in a confederation, state governments

• retain the ability to enact original legislation.

• do not recognize the existence of a national government.

• retain their full sovereignty.

• are fully absorbed within the national government.

In our current system of government, which of the following is true?

• State governments are denied sovereignty.

• The federal government has supremacy over state governments.

• State governments have supremacy over the federal government.

• State and federal governments share equal sovereignty.

Which of the following is the first landmark Supreme Court case that established the use of implied powers to expand the national government's enumerated powers?

• United States v. Lopez

• Marbury v. Madison

• McCulloch v. Maryland

• Kelo v. New London

How do categorical grants differ from block grants?

• Categorical grants are more attractive to state officials because they are far less restrictive than block grants.

• Categorical grants are less commonly issued to state governments than block grants.

• Unlike block grants, categorical grants can be used only for purposes specified by the federal government.

• Unlike block grants, categorical grants need to be used within a specified period of time.

Which of the following is true of cooperative federalism?

• Cooperative federalism tends to decrease state-to-state policy differences.

• Cooperative federalism is based on shared policy responsibilities.

• In a country, whose political system is based on the concept of cooperative federalism, states do not have any power over areas such as education, health, public safety, and roadways.

• Cooperative federalism should be interpreted to mean that the states are powerless and dependent.