AMERICAN GOVERNMENT ­ Federalism and the growth of government Order code: 81347916

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Assignment_and_Introduction.docx

Lesson Introduction

The framers' distrust of human nature is nowhere better reflected than in their treatment of the issues represented by Federalism. It was the framers' goal to  divide power—to make it so difficult to hold and exercise power that the government would only act when there was substantial support for its policies. In the preceding lesson, we learned how the framers provided for a system of separation of powers among the institutions of the national government: no single individual or body of individuals is to hold exclusive executive, legislative, or judicial power. The framers used Federalism as a second means of dividing political power.

Federalism refers to the division and sharing of constitutionally assigned or implied powers between the national and state governments. America's federal system, a mixture of states' rights and national supremacy, permits the states and municipalities control over a number of important programs—highways, education, the police, land regulations, etc. While the federal government possesses enormous power, it must persuade the states to govern in ways that will meet national political, economic, and social goals. The states may not always be so persuaded—witness the years of resistance to progressive civil rights legislation passed by Congress, or the desegregation rulings of the United States Supreme Court.

Before completing this lesson, ask yourself: In a country of our size, complexity, and diversity can any one level of government ever respond to the needs and demands of its citizens?

Assignment - Federalism and the Growth of Government 

Directions:

Essay Questions. Answer the following questions thoroughly. These questions must be submitted for grading. Take your time and completely answer each one. Remember: Do not copy your answers from the textbook. Each answer should be one to two pages long.

1. For the past 200 years, there has been a continuing debate in the U.S. over what is a proper division of power between the state and national governments. One of the reasons for this is that the Constitution is not specific in assigning authority for all government functions. What specific division of power between state and national governments is made by the Constitution? Identify important policies, judicial decisions, and historical events (studied in this chapter) that affected the division of power between state and national governments and explain how they have affected it.

2. Federalism is only one type of arrangement of government power. Name two other systems that arrange government powers. How are these two systems different from federalism?

3. It is often argued that state governments are "closer to the people" than the federal government. What are some of the arguments (studied in this chapter) for suggesting that state governments are closer to the people than the federal government? What are some of the arguments suggesting that states are not closer to the people than the federal government?

4. Discuss the changing role of state government and of the relations among the states since the advent of New Federalism.

multiple_choice.docx

1.

The term “implied powers” comes from:

 

 

 

A. the supremacy clause B. a Supreme Court decision in a Ninth Amendment suit C. a Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of local spending of revenue-sharing funds D. the Federalist Papers.

 

 

2.

The supremacy clause in the Constitution:

 

 

 

A. causes treaties and laws made in pursuance of the U.S. Constitution to be the supreme law of the land B. grants the Supreme Court the power to interpret the Constitution C. gives the national government supremacy over the states D. gives the states supremacy over the national government in local government functions.

 

 

3.

The Constitution gives the national government supremacy over state government in which of the following matters?

 

 

 

A. passing social-welfare legislation B. regulating interstate commerce C. foreign policy making D. building highways

 

 

4.

Which of the following powers are specifically prohibited to the states by the U.S. Constitution?

 

 

 

A. treaty making B. coining or printing money C. making war D. levying import or export taxes E. A, B, C, and D F. A, B, and D G. B and C

 

 

5.

Which of the following does the Constitution prevent the federal government from doing?

 

 

 

A. levying taxes without approval of state governments B. drafting troops without approval of the states C. changing the boundaries of a state without state approval D. making treaties without ratification by ? of the states E. all of the above F. A, B and C G. B and C

 

 

6.

Which of the following events is thought to have had the greatest impact on increased acceptance of an expanded role for the national government?

 

 

 

A. the Civil War B. World War II C. the Great Depression D. industrialization and unfair labor practices

 

 

7.

According to the binding commitments regulating relations between states, states must:

 

 

 

A. respect marriage and divorce decrees of other states B. honor business contracts made in other states C. extradite criminals for trial on request from prosecuting states D. help fund interstate highways. E. all of the above F. A only G. B and D

 

 

8.

The Supreme Court’s decision in  McCulloch v. Maryland was significant because it:

 

 

 

A. gave states more power with respect to the national government B. validated the doctrine of nullification C. expanded the legislative power of the U.S. Congress D. took away the right of states to secede from the Union.

 

 

9.

The major features of federalism, as provided for in the U.S. Constitution, are:

 

 

 

A. a weak national government B. the reservation of some powers for the national government and other powers for state governments C. a relatively strong national government D. state governments that have more power than the national government in all areas but foreign policy. E. A, B, and D F. C and D G. B and C

 

 

10.

In creating a federal system, the intent of the founders was to:

 

 

 

A. give major powers to a national government and minor powers to the state governments B. create a national government that was stronger than the one created by the Articles of Confederation C. concentrate more powers in the states than in the national government D. to limit government power by dividing it. E. A, B, and D

 

 

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Federalism_and_the_growth_of_government.pdf