Federalism #1
1) Which of the following represents the theoretical definition of federalism?
a) A division of power between the federal government and state governments
b) A strict separation of power between the federal government and state governments.
c) A division of power between the federal government and state governments where the
power emanates from the states
d) A singular relationship that is characterized by control emanating one way from a central
government
e) An equally shared power relationship among the branches of government
2) Advocates of a strong federal system believe in all the following except
a) State and local governments do not have many of the resources necessary to deal with the
problems facing the country.
b) Local politicians are provincial in their point of view.
c) State and local governments cannot support the vast programs necessary to support
citizens.
d) Local leaders are more suited to solve problems than national leaders.
e) Factions would be more likely to gain control in a country dominated by local interests.
3) According to the writings of the Federalist Papers, which of the following reflects a major reason
for the support of a federal system?
a) Local governments are best suited to meet the needs of the majority interests of the
country.
b) Local governments will maintain their authority and will be able to care for their citizens.
c) The central government is best suited to recognize the needs and interests of local
governments.
d) There will be a constant clashing of opinions between the interests of the local and federal
governments.
e) Factions would be strengthened by the formation of a federal system of government.
4) All the following Supreme Court cases dealt with the issue of federalism except
a) Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
b) Marbury v. Madison (1803)
c) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
d) Barron v. Baltimore (1833)
e) Fletcher v. Peck (1810)
5) The constitutional provision used in the Supreme Court case McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) was
I.
The ‘necessary and proper’ clause
II.
The supremacy clause
III.
The interstate commerce clause
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
I only
II only
I and II only
II and III only
I, II, and III
6) The constitutional basis of dual federalism can be found in
a) The ‘necessary and proper’ clause
b) The Tenth Amendment
c) The elastic clause
d) The implied power provision
e) The enumerated powers
7) Which general area of policy is generally left up to the states?
a) Foreign policy
b) Military policy
c) Relations among the several states
d) Health and welfare
e) Immigration
8) Which general area of policy is generally left up to the central government?
a) Health
b) Interstate commerce
c) Education
d) Police
e) Voting requirements
9) Which kind of federalism best describes an autonomous relationship between the states and
national government?
a) Cooperative federalism
b) Creative federalism
c) Layer cake federalism
d) Fiscal federalism
e) Marble cake federalism
10) All the following are characteristics of marble cake federalism except
a) There are mingled responsibilities and blurred distinctions between the levels of
government.
b) The federal government becomes more intrusive in state affairs.
c) There is a greater sharing of responsibilities between the federal and state levels.
d) The national government exercises its power independently from state governments.
e) There is greater cooperation between the federal and state governments.
11) Creative federalism of the Great Society was characterized by
I.
Shared costs between the national and state governments
II.
Guidelines and rules set down by the federal government
III.
Singular administration of programs
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
I only
II only
I and III only
I and II only
I, II, and III
12) Which historical period represents the introduction of competitive federalism?
a) The Civil War
b) The New Deal
c) World War II
d) The Great Society
e) The 1970s and 1980s
13) Which type of federalism is characterized by a pattern of competitive grants?
a) Dual federalism
b) Cooperative federalism
c) Fiscal federalism
d) Creative federalism
e) Marble cake federalism
14) Which of the following best represents the components of fiscal federalism?
I.
The passage of funded mandates
II.
The passage of revenue sharing measures
III.
The passage of categorical grants
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
I only
II only
III only
I and III only
I, II, and III
15) An alternative developed by the federal government that places the primary fiscal responsibility
on the states was
a) Revenue sharing
b) Project grants
c) Formula grants
d) Unfunded mandates
e) Reimbursement grants
16) Which of the following laws was challenged by states because they felt that the federal
government imposed an unfair unfunded mandate?
a) Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993
b) Motor Voter Registration Act of 1993
c) Clean Air Act of 1970
d) Clean Water Act of 1972
e) Assault Weapons Ban of 1994
17) Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan’s vision of a new federalism favored
a) An increase in the power and authority of the federal government
b) A cooperative spirit between the federal and state governments
c) An increase in federal mandates
d) The downsizing of the federal government
e) A decrease in the defense budget
18) Which of the following provisions of the Republican Contract with America addresses the issue
of federalism?
I.
Term limits constitutional amendment
II.
Balanced budget constitutional amendment
III.
Welfare Reform Act
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
I only
II only
III only
I and II only
II and III only
ANSWERS
1) A
2) D
3) B
4) B
5) C
6) B
7) D
8) B
9) C
10) D
11) D
12) E
13) C
14) E
15) D
16) B
17) D
18) E