1: Constitution & Federalism

Question 1

Checks and balances

Answer 1

Each branch can limit the other two

Question 2

Unitary system

Answer 2

All power is invested in a central government

Question 3

Federalism

Answer 3

Power is divided by constitution between central and regional governments

Question 4

Expressed powers

Answer 4

Specifically granted to federal government by constitution (enumerated)

Question 5

Implied powers

Answer 5

Federal government powers that go beyond the enumerated (by elastic clause)

Question 6

Reserved powers

Answer 6

Not specifically granted to national government or denied to states (10th amendment)

Question 7

Cooperative federalism

Answer 7

National and state governments work together in projects (fiscal federalism)

Question 8

Categorical grant

Answer 8

Funds for a specific purpose

Question 9

Block grant

Answer 9

Granted to states for broad purposes contributing to growth in state/local employees

Question 10

Mandates

Answer 10

Tell states how to comply with federal guidelines (unfunded=no funds)

Question 11

Devolution

Answer 11

Transfer federal government responsibilities to state/local governments

Question 12

Joh Locke

Answer 12

People are born with natural rights (life, liberty, property)

Question 13

Articles of confederation

Answer 13

Created first U.S. Government (state independence, unicameral congress, one branch)

Question 14

Problems with the articles

Answer 14

Cannot levy taxes, must ask states for money, one branch, no commerce regulation, amendments need unanimous vote

Question 15

Connecticut (Great) compromise

Answer 15

Virginia & New Jersey plans: Bicameral, based on population and equal representation

Question 16

Three-Fifths compromise

Answer 16

Slaves count as 3/5, eliminated by 13th amendment

Question 17

Economic powers

Answer 17

Government can tax, pay debt, coin/regulate money, regulate commerce

Question 18

Individual rights

Answer 18

Cannot suspend habeas corpus, no bills of attainder, no ex post facto, trial by jury (criminal), religion does not affect

Question 19

Check

Answer 19

Keep other branches’ power in line

Question 20

Federalists & Anti-Federalists

Answer 20

Federalist papers defined government to future generations, 10 51 and 78 (Madison and Hamilton) support ratification

Question 21

Constitution amended by

Answer 21

2/3 both houses (national convention by 2/3 states), ratified by 3/4 state legislature/convention, supermajority both congress and states

Question 22

Limitations to majority rule

Answer 22

Insulated senate (different rules than house), independent judiciary, indirectly elected president (electoral college)

Question 23

Informal constitutional change

Answer 23

Judiciary act, commerce clause, cabinet, senatorial courtesy, executive agreements, commander in chief, political party leadership

Question 24

Systems of government

Answer 24

Unitary (all power in central government), confederate (weak central limited power over states), federal (between federal and states)

Question 25

Powers of federal government

Answer 25

Expressed, implied, inherent, reserved, concurrent, prohibited

Question 26

MucCulloch v. Maryland

Answer 26

Congress can carry out expressed powers through supremacy of national government over states

Question 27

Gibbons v. Ogden

Answer 27

Broad definition of commerce, congress can expand its reach

Question 28

Dual federalism

Answer 28

National and state governments are supreme on their own (layer cake)

Question 29

Cooperative federalism

Answer 29

National and state governments work together (marble cake)

Question 30

Fiscal federalism

Answer 30

Spending, taxing, providing grants to federal system

Question 31

Advantages to federalism

Answer 31

Promotes diverse policies, multiple power centers, government close to people

Question 32

Disadvantages of federalism

Answer 32

Inequality with different states’ resources, local interests delay policy support, confusion between levels

Question 33

Majority rule

Answer 33

Fundamental democratic principle where majority’s view is respected