federalism

Question 1

What was the period called when the federal government was much less powerful than it is today?

Answer 1

Dual Federalism

Question 2

Which amendment lays out the US federal structure?

Answer 2

10th

Question 3

what are some powers that are exclusively federal?

Answer 3

a) printing of money b) declarations of war

Question 4

Under which Article is the ‘necessary and proper’ clause of the US constitution?

Answer 4

Article I

Question 5

Why is the US constitution described as democratic?

Answer 5

a) Rights and freedoms are entrenched b) makes sure government is legitimised with consent from below

Question 6

why might the vagueness of the constitution be criticised?

Answer 6

vagueness of constitution allows Executive and legislature to make laws not consented by the public.

Question 7

Which clause does Congress use to make certain drugs illegal and health insurance mandatory?

Answer 7

The Commerce Clause

Question 8

Advantages of federalism

Answer 8

-preserves cultural diversity
-allows different steps to have decision close to its own citizenship
-reduces and keeps checks on central government (makes USA less arbitrary through shared powers with state)
-easier way of running the country so diverse and big

Question 9

disadvantages of federalism

Answer 9

-prevents national policy (USA does not have a single policy on issues. 51 policies can lead to confusion)
-lack of accountability, overlap of boundaries among national and state gov makes it tricky to assign blame for failed policies
vagueness of power in the constitution means power can expand to federal gov significantly