Federalism Quiz: Trivia Questions!

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Cara Gallagher
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  • 1/10 Questions

    Sometimes referred to as the "Elastic Clause," this gives Congress powers beyond what was articulated in Article II of the Constitution to make laws according to the needs of citizens.

    • The Necessary & Proper Clause
    • Selective Incorporation
    • Federalism
    • Checks & Balances
    • Devolution Revolution
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About This Quiz

Explore the intricacies of federalism in the U. S. With this trivia quiz! Engage with questions on block grants, mandates, devolution, constitutional amendments, and the Elastic Clause. Ideal for enhancing your understanding of federal-state relations and governance.

Federalism Quiz: Trivia Questions! - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    Which of the following is an example of a concurrent power in the American federalist system?

    • Declaring war

    • Coining money

    • Raising taxes

    • Raising an army

    • Naturalizing citizens

    Correct Answer
    A. Raising taxes
    Explanation
    Raising taxes is an example of a concurrent power in the American federalist system because it can be exercised by both the federal government and the state governments. This means that both levels of government have the authority to levy and collect taxes from their respective jurisdictions. Concurrent powers are those powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments, and raising taxes is one such power that can be exercised by both entities simultaneously.

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  • 3. 

    Which constitutional amendment secures the sovereignty of the states, emboldening their power to make laws?

    • 1st

    • 2nd

    • 6th

    • 8th

    • 10th

    Correct Answer
    A. 10th
    Explanation
    The correct answer is the 10th amendment. This amendment to the United States Constitution reinforces the principle of federalism by explicitly stating that any powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states. This amendment helps to ensure that states have the authority to make laws and govern themselves, thus securing their sovereignty.

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  • 4. 

    Money from the national government that states may spend within broad guidelines as determined by Washington, the DC area:

    • Block Grants

    • Categorical Grants

    • Mandates

    • Devolution

    • Conditions of Aid

    Correct Answer
    A. Block Grants
    Explanation
    Block grants are a type of funding provided by the national government to states, which allows them to spend the money within broad guidelines determined by Washington, DC. Unlike categorical grants, which have specific requirements and limitations on how the funds can be used, block grants provide states with more flexibility in deciding how to allocate the funds. This allows states to address their unique needs and priorities while still adhering to the general guidelines set by the federal government. Block grants are often used to support various state programs and initiatives, such as healthcare, education, or social services.

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  • 5. 

    The movement to transfer the responsibility of managing programs, particularly social programs like Welfare and Medicaid/care, from federal offices to the states is known as:

    • Devolution

    • Referendum

    • The Necessary & Proper Clause

    • Revolution

    • Dual Federalism

    Correct Answer
    A. Devolution
    Explanation
    Devolution refers to the movement of transferring the responsibility of managing programs, especially social programs like Welfare and Medicaid/care, from federal offices to the states. This shift aims to give states more control and flexibility in designing and implementing these programs according to their specific needs and preferences. It is a process that decentralizes power and decision-making from the federal government to the individual states.

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  • 6. 

    Examples of _____ include deregulation, the movement of welfare funding from AFDC to TANF, and the Devolution Revolution.

    • Dual Federalism

    • Fiscal Federalism

    • Yummy Marble Cake Federalism

    • New Federalism

    Correct Answer
    A. New Federalism
    Explanation
    New Federalism refers to a political philosophy that advocates for the decentralization of power and the transfer of responsibilities from the federal government to state and local governments. This philosophy is characterized by the devolution of authority and the promotion of state autonomy. Examples of New Federalism include deregulation, the movement of welfare funding from AFDC to TANF, and the Devolution Revolution.

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  • 7. 

    Alexander Hamilton was an ardent Federalist; Thomas Jefferson was an anti-Federalist who strongly supported states' rights.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    The statement is inaccurate. Alexander Hamilton was indeed a prominent Federalist, advocating for a strong central government and the ratification of the United States Constitution. On the other hand, Thomas Jefferson, while favoring strong states' rights, was not strictly an anti-Federalist but rather a Democratic-Republican who believed in a limited federal government and greater power vested in the states.

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  • 8. 

    When it is unclear whether an issue falls under the jurisdiction of the federal or a state government?

    • The president decides and issues and executive order

    • A federal court rules on the matter

    • Congress votes to determine who has the authority

    • The state legislatures must decide whether to overrule the federal government

    • The federal and state governments must share authority

    Correct Answer
    A. A federal court rules on the matter
    Explanation
    When it is unclear whether an issue falls under the jurisdiction of the federal or a state government, a federal court rules on the matter. This means that the court will review the case and make a decision on which level of government has the authority to handle the issue. The court's ruling will provide clarity and determine whether the federal government or the state government should be responsible for addressing the matter in question.

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  • 9. 

    Mandates, which tend to be purposeful and designed to protect individuals, are preferred by states to categorical grants because mandates come with financial support.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    States actually prefer categorical grants over mandates because categorical grants provide states with more flexibility in how they use the funds. Mandates, on the other hand, are often seen as burdensome and can restrict states' ability to make decisions based on their specific needs and priorities. While mandates may come with financial support, this is not the main reason why states prefer categorical grants.

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  • 10. 

    All of the following are ways in which individuals exercise power in a federalist system: 

    • Legislate, or make laws

    • Vote

    • Recall

    • Referenda

    • Judicial Review

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. Vote
    A. Recall
    A. Referenda
    Explanation
    In a federalist system, individuals exercise power through various means. One way is through voting, where individuals have the ability to elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf. Another way is through recall, which allows individuals to remove an elected official from office before their term is completed if they are not satisfied with their performance. Referenda also provide a way for individuals to exercise power by allowing them to directly vote on specific issues or policies. These methods give individuals a voice and the ability to participate in the decision-making process in a federalist system.

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  • Jul 23, 2024
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Oct 13, 2014
    Quiz Created by
    Cara Gallagher
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