Federalism

McCulloch vs. Maryland (1819) is an important Supreme Court ruling because:

• It expanded the power of the national government by declaring that federal taxes on state banks were constitutional

• It strengthened state government power by declaring that Maryland could tax a federal bank under the doctrine of dual sovereignty

• It limited state government power by declaring that Maryland could not tax a federal bank

• It expanded state government power by declaring that state laws could override the commerce clause

What is a disadvantage of a unitary system?

• Unitary systems are autocratic, which often leads to rampant government corruption

• Unitary systems are inefficient and tend to suffer from weak central leadership

• There is no competition between different political units in unitary systems, which can stifle policy development

The term "states' rights" refers to:

• The right of any state to sue the federal government in court

• The powers given to states by their constitutions

• The right of any state to secede from the Union

• The right of the states to determine their own laws without interference from the federal government

Which system is the most common among democracies in the world?

• Federal system

• Cooperative system

• Confederal system

• Unitary system

The huge variation in resources that each state has is an argument in favour of:

Which of the following best describes competitive federalism?

• The Supreme Court having the final say on federalism

• Limiting how much power is given to the states

• Allowing states more power

• Competitive federalism

A confederal system of government has a ______ central government. A unitary system has a ______ central government.

(a)  

Which political party prefers giving the states flexibility in spending federal money?

• Neither the Republican Party nor the Democratic Party

• Democratic Party

• Republican Party

• Both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party equally

Which best defines the situation by local governments in the American federal system?

• They are created by the national and state governments working together

• They are formed by popular petition

• They are created by state governments

• They are created by the national government

Under the U.S. system of federalism, who or what is responsible for the conduct of foreign policy and defense?

• The national government

• International organizations such as the United Nations and NATO

• The state governments

• The local governments