Every problem in the chapter beside the book’s answer, a chapter at a time as you scroll.
Chapter 3: American Federalism
10 problems · 0 figures3-1 §3.1 source ↗
Which statement about federal and unitary systems is most accurate?
- a.In a federal system, power is concentrated in the states; in a unitary system, it is concentrated in the national government.
- b.In a federal system, the constitution allocates powers between states and federal government; in a unitary system, powers are lodged in the national government.
- c.Today there are more countries with federal systems than with unitary systems.
- d.The United States and Japan have federal systems, while Great Britain and Canada have unitary systems.
Answer
B. In a federal system, the constitution allocates powers between states and federal government; in a unitary system, powers are lodged in the national government.
3-3 §3.1 source ↗
What key constitutional provisions define the scope of authority of the federal and state governments?
Answer
The following parts of the Constitution sketch the powers of the states and the federal government: Article I, Section 8; the supremacy clause of Article VI; and the Tenth Amendment. The following parts of the Constitution detail the limits on their authority: Article I, Sections 9 and 10; Bill of Rights; Fourteenth Amendment; and the civil rights amendments.
3-5 §3.2 source ↗
In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court invoked which provisions of the constitution?
- a.Tenth Amendment and spending clause
- b.commerce clause and supremacy clause
- c.necessary and proper clause and supremacy clause
- d.taxing power and necessary and proper clause
Answer
C. necessary and proper clause and supremacy clause
3-7 §3.2 source ↗
Which is not a merit of cooperative federalism?
- a.Federal cooperation helps mitigate the problem of collective action among states.
- b.Federal assistance encourages state and local governments to generate positive externalities.
- c.Cooperative federalism respects the traditional jurisdictional boundaries between states and federal government.
- d.Federal assistance ensures some degree of uniformity of public services across states.
Answer
C. Cooperative federalism respects the traditional jurisdictional boundaries between states and federal government.
3-9 §3.2 source ↗
What were the implications of McCulloch v. Maryland for federalism?
Answer
The McCulloch decision established the doctrine of implied powers, meaning the federal government can create policy instruments deemed necessary and appropriate to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. The case also affirmed the principle of national supremacy embodied in Article VI of the Constitution, namely, that the Constitution and legitimate federal laws trump state laws.
3-11 §3.3 source ↗
Which statement about unfunded mandates is false?
- a.The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act has prevented Congress from using unfunded mandates.
- b.The Clean Air Act is a type of federal partial preemptive regulation.
- c.Title VI of the Civil Rights Act establishes crosscutting requirements.
- d.New federalism promotes the use of unfunded mandates.
Answer
D. New federalism promotes the use of unfunded mandates.
3-13 §3.4 source ↗
Which statement about immigration federalism is false?
- a.The Arizona v. United States decision struck down all Arizona’s most restrictive provisions on undocumented immigration.
- b.Since the 1990s, states have increasingly moved into the policy domain of immigration.
- c.Federal immigration laws trump state laws.
- d.States’ involvement in immigration is partly due to their interest in preventing undocumented immigrants from accessing public services such as education and welfare benefits.
Answer
A. The Arizona v. United States decision struck down all Arizona’s most restrictive provisions on undocumented immigration.
3-15 §3.4 source ↗
Which statement about venue shopping is true?
- a.MADD steered the drinking age issue from the federal government down to the states.
- b.Anti-abortion advocates have steered the abortion issue from the states up to the federal government.
- c.Both MADD and anti-abortion proponents redirected their advocacy from the states to the federal government.
- d.None of the statements are correct.
Answer
D. None of the statements are correct.
3-17 §3.5 source ↗
Which of the following is not a benefit of federalism?
- a.Federalism promotes political participation.
- b.Federalism encourages economic equality across the country.
- c.Federalism provides for multiple levels of government action.
- d.Federalism accommodates a diversity of opinion.
Answer
B. Federalism encourages economic equality across the country.
3-19 §3.5 source ↗
Describe the disadvantages of federalism.
Answer
Federalism can trigger a race to the bottom, leading states to reduce workplace regulations and social benefits for employees; it can obstruct federal efforts to address national problems; and it can deepen economic and social disparities among states.
Loading chapter 4…
Problems and answers are adapted from American Government 4e by Glen Krutz and Sylvie Waskiewicz, OpenStax, and are used under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/american-government-4e/pages/1-introduction. Illustrations: Copyright Rice University, OpenStax, under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. This adaptation is released under the same licence, is non-commercial, and is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by OpenStax or Rice University.