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CHAPTER 3
Federalism
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When the Framers drafted the Constitution, the Antifederalist opposed it primarily on the grounds that
the new government
a.
empowered state governments.
b.
created a bicameral Congress.
c.
gave states the power to coin money.
d.
created a navy.
e.
gave too much power to the national government.
2. In this decision, the Supreme Court, by a 5–4 majority, ruled that the individual mandate component of
Obamacare was constitutional because the mandate was a tax and was one of the powers of Congress.
a.
Baker v. Carr
b.
U.S. v. Lopez
c.
Printz v. U.S.
d.
McCulloch v. Maryland
e.
National Federation of Business v. Sebelius
3. __________ is a political system in which the national government shares power with local
governments.
a.
A unitary government
b.
Federalism
c.
A confederation
d.
A parliamentarian government
e.
A republic
4. For the Founders, federalism was a device to
a.
protect personal liberty.
b.
provide efficient local administration.
c.
encourage citizen participation.
d.
guarantee equality.
e.
protect against foreign invasion.
5. In a confederation, the national government derives its power from
a.
the people.
b.
the states.
c.
the Congress.
d.
the courts.
e.
None of the above is true.
6. A federal republic derives its powers from
a.
the people.
b.
the states.
c.
the Congress.
d.
the courts.
e.
None of the above is true.
7. Madison’s description of federalism in Federalist No. 46 suggests there should be little concern over
conflicts between the federal and state governments because
a.
the federal government would clearly be the winner in such conflicts.
b.
the state government would clearly be the winner in such conflicts.
c.
such conflicts would occur only on minor issues of importance.
d.
they are different agents with different powers.
e.
the judicial branch would settle such disputes.
8. The Founders did not include in the U.S. Constitution an explicit statement of state powers but added it
later in
a.
the Second Amendment.
b.
the Seventh Amendment.
c.
the Tenth Amendment.
d.
the Fourteenth Amendment.
e.
None of the above is true.
9. Just what sort of commerce Congress could regulate between the states was not spelled out in the U.S.
Constitution because
a.
delegates held competing views of commerce.
b.
of an oversight.
c.
commerce was a new phenomenon.
d.
slavery was involved.
e.
New York delegates refused to allow discussion on the matter.
10. Which statement best summarizes Madison’s view of federalism?
a.
He was a consistent supporter of the notion of a supreme national government.
b.
He was a consistent supporter of the notion of the supremacy of state governments.
c.
He was first an ardent supporter of national supremacy, then of states’ rights.
d.
He was first an ardent supporter of states’ rights, then of national supremacy.
e.
He assumed the national government would be supreme except in times of war.
11. The Civil War settled one part of the issue of national supremacy versus states’ rights, namely, that
a.
state governments are supreme over the national government.
b.
the national government derives its sovereignty from the states.
c.
the national government derives its sovereignty from the people.
d.
the national government derives its sovereignty from both the people and the states.
e.
state governments derive their power from each other.
12. The early chief justice whose decisions generally gave the broadest possible sweep to federal
powers was
a.
Roger Taney.
b.
Frederick Vinson.
c.
John Marshall.
d.
Alexander Hamilton.
e.
John Harlan.
13. An important outcome of Marshall’s ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) was to
a.
place limits on the constitutional powers granted to Congress by refusing
McCulloch’s appeal.
b.
give greater power to the states in taxing agents of the federal government,
including banks.
c.
protect newspaper editors who publish stories critical of the federal government.
d.
restrict the power of the Court in cases involving conflicts between states and the
federal government.
e.
confirm the supremacy of the federal government in the exercise of the constitutional
powers granted to Congress.
14. A central premise in Marshall’s analysis of federalism was that the government of the United States
was established by
a.
the convention.
b.
the states.
c.
the people.
d.
the Supreme Court.
e.
both B and D.
15. In McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), the Supreme Court ruled that
a.
states could form banks and tax them.
b.
the national government could charter banks and the states could not tax those banks.
c.
the national government’s power was dependent on the states.
d.
Congress erred when it created a national banking system.
e.
states could not charter banks.
16. The doctrine of nullification refers to
a.
the power of Congress to veto state laws that violate the U.S. Constitution.
b.
the claimed authority of the states to declare a federal law void for violating the
U.S. Constitution.
c.
the power of the president to veto state laws for violating the U.S. Constitution.
d.
the authority of the president to dissolve Congress and to call for new elections.
e.
the power of the federal government to invalidate state laws on matters of commerce.
17. When Congress passed laws (in 1798) to punish newspaper editors who published stories critical of the
federal government, these two political leaders suggested in the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions that
the states had the right to nullify a federal law that, in the state’s opinion, violated the Constitution.
a.
James Madison and Thomas Jefferson
b.
John Adams and Alexander Hamilton
c.
John Dickinson and George Clinton
d.
Samuel Adams and John Hancock
e.
John Jay and John Marshall
18. Applying the principles of Thomas Jefferson to current political issues would probably dispose one to
a.
favor the decentralization of government power.
b.
oppose the decentralization of government power.
c.
favor seven-year terms for presidents.
d.
oppose seven-year terms for presidents.
e.
favor a more powerful bureaucracy.
19. During the battle over slavery, the case for nullification was forcefully presented by
a.
William Jennings Randolph.
b.
Robert E. Lee.
c.
William Graham Sumner.
d.
John C. Calhoun.
e.
JEB Stuart.
20. The doctrine of dual federalism grew out of a protracted debate on the subject of
a.
commerce.
b.
banking.
c.
manufacturing.
d.
welfare.
e.
licensing of commercial fishermen.
21. Initially, it was supposed that
a.
Congress could regulate interstate commerce.
b.
Congress could regulate interstate and intrastate commerce.
c.
the state governments could regulate interstate commerce.
d.
the state governments could regulate interstate and intrastate commerce.
e.
there was no distinction between interstate and intrastate commerce.
22. The interstate commerce that the federal government can regulate is now interpreted to include
a.
almost any kind of economic activity.
b.
only the movement of goods between states.
c.
almost any commerce in goods, but not labor transactions.
d.
commerce between states and a handful of transactions within states.
e.
shipping and handling, but not production.
23. According to the text, the Supreme Court has generally excluded __________ from many of the
restrictions addressed in commerce clause cases.
a.
baseball players
b.
lawyers
c.
janitors
d.
window washers
e.
farmers
24. The text says that it would be a mistake to conclude that the doctrine of dual federalism is
a.
entirely dead.
b.
alive and well.
c.
much changed.
d.
no longer a threat.
e.
an empirical reality.
25. In United States v. Lopez (1995), the Supreme Court ruled that Congress overstepped its power to
regulate commerce by prohibiting __________ in a school zone.
a.
guns
b.
adult bookstores
c.
cigarette sales
d.
alcohol sales
e.
dog races
26. In United States v. Morrison, the Supreme Court ruled that violence against women
a.
was not an appropriate focus of punitive damages.
b.
did not substantially affect interstate commerce.
c.
could not be made the responsibility of distant relatives.
d.
was nonjusticiable.
e.
could not be regulated by law.
27. In __________, the Supreme Court held that Congress could not require local police officers to
conduct background checks on all gun purchases because doing so would violate the Tenth
Amendment.
a.
United States v. Morrison
b.
McCulloch v. Maryland
c.
United States v. Lopez
d.
Printz v. United States
e.
Marbury v. Madison
28. There are more than __________ local governments in the United States.
a.
875,000
b.
87,500
c.
8,750
d.
875
e.
None of the above
29. In this 1999 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that state employees could not sue to force state
compliance with federal fair-labor laws.
a.
McCulloch v. Maryland
b.
Printz v. United States
c.
Alden v. Maine
d.
United States v. Lopez
e.
United States v. Morrison
30. Which of the following countries does NOT have a federal system of government?
a.
The United States
b.
The United Kingdom
c.
Canada
d.
Germany
e.
Australia
31. Which of the following allows national governments the right to alter or even abolish local
government?
a.
A constitutional government
b.
Federalism
c.
A unitary system
d.
Socialism
e.
A confederation
32. In McCulloch v. Maryland
a.
the Constitution’s “necessary and proper” clause permits Congress to take actions when it
is essential to a power that Congress has.
b.
the Constitution’s commerce clause gives the national government exclusive power to
regulate interstate commerce.
c.
Congress may not act to subject nonconsenting states to lawsuits in state courts.
d.
the states may not regulate interstate commerce.
e.
the national government’s authority to require state officials to administer or enforce a
federal regulation is limited.
33. In Gibbons v. Ogden
a.
the Constitution’s “necessary and proper” clause permits Congress to take actions when it
is essential to a power that Congress has.
b.
the Constitution’s commerce clause gives the national government exclusive power to
regulate interstate commerce.
c.
Congress may not act to subject nonconsenting states to lawsuits in state courts.
d.
the states may not regulate interstate commerce.
e.
the national government’s authority to require state officials to administer or enforce a
federal regulation is limited.
34. Under their police powers, states can enact and enforce all of the following EXCEPT
a.
criminal codes.
b.
laws requiring children to attend school.
c.
restrictions on the availability of pornographic materials.
d.
standards for DUI convictions.
e.
the regulation of interstate commerce.
35. A ___________ system of government is one in which the states are sovereign and the national
government is allowed to do only that which the states permit.
a.
unitary
b.
federal
c.
confederation
d.
Options A, B, C, and D are true.
e.
None of the above is true.
36. One of the reasons that our local governments are independent of the national government is
a.
Article III of the U.S. Constitution.
b.
the power of free elections.
c.
the commitment of Americans to the ideal of local self-government.
d.
the fact that the local tax structure requires local administration.
e.
the Fourteenth Amendment.
37. In the United States, programs such as the interstate highway system and services to the unemployed
are most accurately considered
a.
state functions that operate without any involvement on the part of the federal government.
b.
federal functions, although state governments pay some of the costs.
c.
state functions that are designated under the Tenth Amendment.
d.
federal functions that operate without any involvement on the part of state governments.
e.
state functions, although the federal government seeks to regulate them.
38. William H. Riker’s critical conclusion is that the main effect of federalism since the Civil War has
been
a.
poverty.
b.
racism.
c.
corruption.
d.
fraud.
e.
sexism.
39. Which of the following has a federal form of government?
a.
Russia
b.
Nigeria
c.
Malayasia
d.
Mexico
e.
All of the above is true.
40. Which is a procedure that enables voters to reject a measure adopted by the legislature?
a.
Initiative
b.
Referendum
c.
Recall
d.
Logrolling
e.
Rollback
41. In about half of the states, voters can use this procedure to place legislative measures directly on the
ballot by getting enough signatures.
a.
Initiative
b.
Referendum
c.
Recall
d.
Logrolling
e.
Rollback
42. This procedure, which is in effect in over 20 states, permits voters to remove an elected official
from office.
a.
Initiative
b.
Referendum
c.
Recall
d.
Logrolling
e.
Rollback
43. The first form of grant-in-aid from the national government to the states was
a.
cash grants-in-aid.
b.
block grants.
c.
revenue sharing.
d.
categorical grants.
e.
land grants.
44. In 1808 Congress gave __________ to the states to pay for their militias, with the states in charge of
size, deployment, and command of these troops.
a.
$250
b.
$3,500
c.
$25,000
d.
$200,000
e.
$500,000
45. According to Table 3.1 in the textbook, this program represented the largest federal grant to state and
local governments for fiscal year 2011.
a.
Medicaid
b.
Income security
c.
Education and training
d.
Transportation
e.
Community development
46. According to the text, the grant-in-aid system grew rapidly because it helped state and local officials
resolve what dilemma?
a.
How to get federal money into state hands without violating the U.S. Constitution
b.
How to limit federal taxation power without reducing aid to states
c.
How to increase federal taxation power without violating the U.S. Constitution
d.
How to shift financial control of state programs to the federal government without
violating states’ rights
e.
How to ring critical state functions gradually under federal control
47. During the 1960s, federal grants to states were increasingly based on
a.
the demands of the individual states.
b.
what state officials perceived to be important state needs.
c.
the power of organized interest groups.
d.
what federal officials perceived to be national needs.
e.
the demands of coalitions of states.
48. An interest group with a strong following in only one region of the country would have the best chance
to achieve its goals under which type of system?
a.
Democratic
b.
Republican
c.
Federal
d.
Unitary
e.
Provincial
49. Of the following, which is NOT an example of the intergovernmental lobby?
a.
Local police chiefs
b.
Local gas station owners
c.
County highway commissioners
d.
Superintendents of schools
e.
Mayors
50. Which of the following is a member of the “Big 7”?
a.
The National Governors Association
b.
The National League of Cities
c.
The National Conference of State Legislatures
d.
None of the above is true.
e.
Options A, B, C, and D are true.
51. A categorical grant is a transfer of federal funds designed for
a.
the private sector.
b.
discretionary use by a state.
c.
the accomplishment of broad goals.
d.
programs with matching grants.
e.
specific purposes.
52. According to the text, block grants have enjoyed only marginal success, in part because
a.
the federal government steadily increased the number of strings attached to such grants.
b.
money from categorical grants shrank so low as to make these other grants essential.
c.
these grants were based on local priorities rather than on the needs of the nation as
a whole.
d.
these grants discouraged federal control over how the money was to be used.
e.
these grants were not attractive to members of Congress.
53. __________ are terms set by the national government that states must meet whether or not they accept
federal grants.
a.
Conditions of aid
b.
Mandates
c.
Strings-attached edict
d.
Court decisions
e.
Pontifications
54. A 2006 study found that the highest number of unfunded mandates concerned
a.
intrastate commerce.
b.
the Internet.
c.
civil rights.
d.
the environment.
e.
education policy.
55. According to the text, __________ waivers are “almost impossible to acquire.”
a.
environmental protection
b.
health policy
c.
education
d.
human services
e.
transportation
56. The text suggests that we might expect to find more mandates in policy areas where the government
a.
spends less.
b.
spends more.
c.
wants the states to spend less.
d.
has been involved a longer period of time.
e.
cannot possibly enforce them.
57. Judges have ordered Massachusetts to change the way it hires firefighters, even though the state does
not receive aid from the federal government for fire fighting. Such an order is referred to as a
a.
condition of aid.
b.
quid pro quo order.
c.
mandate.
d.
pro bono requirement.
e.
per curiam order.
58. In 1996, the voters of __________ passed Proposition 215, a ballot measure permitting the
“compassionate use” of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
a.
California
b.
Colorado
c.
Washington
d.
Oregon
e.
Texas
59. President __________ declared, in a State of the Union Address, that the era of big national
government was over.
a.
Bush
b.
Reagan
c.
Nixon
d.
Eisenhower
e.
Clinton
60. According to a 2011 study by the Government Accountability Office, the federal government and the
states provide duplication of services in
a.
economic development.
b.
food regulation.
c.
counterterrorism.
d.
Options A, B, C, and D are true.
e.
None of the above is true.
TRUE/FALSE
1. The American experience suggests that many of the Antifederalists’ primary concerns were
not unwarranted.
2. The Constitution has been amended 25 times in more than 225 years.
3. Over the last half-century, state and local government spending has declined significantly.
4. The Supreme Court ruled the individual mandate component of “Obamacare” unconstitutional.
5. The Founders envisioned a system in which the national government would have supreme authority
over the state governments.
6. The wording of the U.S. Constitution regarding the federal government’s right to make laws is
purposely vague and elastic.
7. Thomas Jefferson generally thought the powers of the federal government should be narrowly
construed and strictly limited.
8. Chief Justice John Marshall was an early advocate of states’ rights.
9. In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court ruled that the state of Maryland could not tax a bank
chartered by the national government.
10. The concept of dual federalism grew out of a debate on the issue of commerce.
11. The writings of Jefferson and Madison influenced John C. Calhoun’s arguments for nullification of a
federal tariff.
12. In United States v. Lopez, the Supreme Court said that Congress had exceeded its commerce clause
power by creating gun-free zones around schools.
13. The Supreme Court has ruled that Congress cannot require local police to conduct background checks
on all gun purchasers.
14. Great Britain has a federal system much like our own.
15. The police power is generally recognized as a state power.
16. Many of the powers of the federal government are exercised through the states.
17. The states play a key role in social welfare, public education, and law enforcement.
18. An initiative allows voters to place legislative measures directly on the ballot by getting enough
signatures.
19. As of 2006, federal aid accounted for approximately 30 percent of state general revenue.
20. A categorical grant is one made for a specific purpose defined by federal law.
Chapter 3: Federalism 49
ESSAY
1. Compare the competing views of federalism held by Hamilton and Jefferson.
2. Summarize the facts of the case and discuss the implications for federalism from the Supreme Court’s
ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland.
3. Explain how Madison, Jefferson, and John C. Calhoun defined the doctrine of nullification.
4. Note some recent examples of cases where the U.S. Supreme Court has revealed its view that the
commerce clause does not justify any federal action.
5. Discuss the terms of local governance covered in the textbook.
6. What are some formal mechanisms that some state constitutions employ in order to incorporate direct
democracy into the governmental process?
7. Explain what grants-in-aid are and why the system that grew up around them was so attractive to
state officials.
8. Explain what a “categorical grant” is, and why their incorporation into block grants never seemed to
quite satisfy critics.
9. Compare and contrast the following two kinds of federal controls on state governments: conditions of
aid and mandates. Be sure to list examples of each.
10. The text says, “Devolution did not become a revolution.” Explain.
