Federalism Practice Questions Barron’s

Which of the following represents the theoretical definition of federalism?

A. Division of power between the federal government and state governments

B. A strict separation of power between the federal government and the 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

Answer

• A. Division of power between the federal government and state governments

•

Advocates of a strong federal system believe in all of the following EXCEPT:

A. State and local governments do not have all 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. An elitist group would be more likely to gain control in a country dominated by local interests

Answer

D. Local leaders are more suited to solve problems than national leaders

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 a government

Answer

B. Local governments will maintain their authority and will be able to care for their citizens

All the following Supreme Court cases dealt with the issue of federalism EXCEPT

A. Gibbons v OgdenB. Marbury v Madison C. McCulloch v Maryland D. Barron v BaltimoreE. Fletcher v Peck

Answer

B. Marbury v Madison

The constitutional provision used in the Supreme case McCulloch v. Maryland was:I. the necessary and proper clauseII. The supremacy clauseIII. the interstate commerce clause

A. I onlyB. II onlyC. I and II onlyD. II and III onlyE. I, II, and III

Answer

C. I and II only

The constitutional basis of dual federalism can be found in:

A. The “necessary and proper” clauseB. The Tenth AmendmentC. The elastic clauseD. The implied power provisionE. The enumerated powers

Answer

B. The Tenth Amendment

Which general area of policy is generally left up to the states?

A. Foreign policy B. Military policyC. Relations among the several statesD. Health and welfareE. immigration

Answer

D. Health and welfare

Which general are of policy is generally left up to the central government?

A. HealthB. Interstate commerceC. EducationD. PoliceE. Voting requirements

Answer

B. Interstate commerce

Which kind of federalism best describes an autonomous relationship between the states and national government?

A. Cooperative federalismB. Creative federalismC. Layer cake federalism D. Fiscal federalismE. Marble cake federalism

Answer

C. Layer cake federalism

All of 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 a greater cooperation between the federal and state governments

Answer

D. The national government exercises its power independently from state governments

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 programs

A. I onlyB. II onlyC. I and III onlyD. I and II onlyE. I, II, and III

Answer

D. I and II only

Which historical period represents the introduction of competitive federalism?

A. The Civil War B. The New DealC. World War IID. The Great SocietyE. The 1970s and 1980s

Answer

E. The 1970s and 1980s

Which type of federalism is characterized by a pattern of competitive grants?

A. Dual federalismB. Cooperative federalismC. Fiscal federalism D. Creative FederalismE. Marble cake federalism

Answer

C. Fiscal federalism

Which of the following best represents the components of fiscal federalism?I. the passage of funded mandatesII. The passage of revenue sharing measuresIII. The passage of categorical grants

A. I onlyB. II onlyC. III onlyD. I and III onlyE. I, II, and III

Answer

E. I, II, and III

An alternative developed by the federal government that places the primary fiscal responsibility on the states was:

A. Revenue sharingB. Project grants C. Formula grantsD. Unfunded mandates E. Reimbursement grants

Answer

D. Unfunded mandates

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 ActB. Motor Voter Registration ActC. Clean Air ActD. Clean Water ActE. Crime Bill

Answer

B. Motor Voter Registration Act

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 mandatesD. The downsizing of the federal

government E. A decrease in the defense budget

Answer

D. The downsizing of the federal government

Which of the following provisions of the Republican Contract with America addresses the issue of federalism?I. term limits constitutional amendmentII. Balanced budget constitutional amendmentIII. Welfare reform act

A. I onlyB. II onlyC. III onlyD. I and II onlyE. II and III only

Answer

E. II and III only