American Politics Today - Essentials (3rd Ed)

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STUDY GUIDE

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Diagnostic Quiz & Key Term Flashcards for This Chapter

WHAT IS FEDERALISM AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

E Defi ne federalism and explain its signifi cance. Pages 57–60

BALANCING NATIONAL AND STATE POWER IN THE CONSTITUTION

E Explain what the Constitution says about federalism. Pages 60–62

SUMMARY

A federal system simultaneously allocates power to both the
state and federal governments, while a confederal system
only gives power to the states, and a unitary government only
gives power to the federal government.

KEY TERMS

federalism (p. 57)

sovereign power (p. 57)

police powers (p. 58)

concurrent powers (p. 58)

unitary government (p. 58)

confederal government (p. 58)

intergovernmental organizations (p. 59)

SUMMARY

The framers of the Constitution wanted a federal govern-
ment that was stronger than under the Articles of Confed-
eration, but they also wanted to preserve the autonomy of
the states. While the state governments have considerable
power in our system, the Founders ultimately favored the
federal government in the Constitution, so that the federal
government’s powers superseded those of the states in the
event of a confl ict.

KEY TERMS

full faith and credit clause (p. 61)

privileges and immunities clause (p. 61)

PRACTICE QUIZ QUESTIONS

1. What system of government did the Articles of
   Confederation establish?
   a) unitary
   b) federal
   c) confederal
   d) monarchy
   e) dictatorship


2. Which is an example of a concurrent power?
   a) print money
   b) build roads
   c) conduct elections
   d) declare war
   e) establish post offi ces

PRACTICE QUIZ QUESTIONS

3. States’ rights are protected in the reserve clause,
   which is found in __.
   a) the Ninth Amendment
   b) the Tenth Amendment
   c) Article I of the Constitution
   d) Article III of the Constitution
   e) the First Amendment


4. Contemporary confl ict over same-sex marriage falls
   under which constitutional provision?
   a) privileges and immunities clause
   b) exclusionary clause
   c) national supremacy clause
   d) full faith and credit clause
   e) establishment clause