Exam 3: Federalism and the Separation of Powers

Wherever there is a direct conflict of laws between the federal and the state levels,the issue will most likely be resolved in favor of states' rights.

The power to levy taxes is an example of a(n) __________ power.

The U.S.Constitution recognizes local governments as a third level of federalism.

The separation of powers sought to limit the power of the government by

In addition to expressed and implied powers,the Constitution affirmed the power of the national government over state governments in the

The Supreme Court struck down a 1996 law that attempted to give the president line-item veto authority.

In addition to the expressed powers granted to the federal government,which powers are derived from the expansive interpretation of delegated powers?

State governments have the power to define private property.

What is the rationale behind the strategy of building checks and balances into the Constitution? Give examples of some of the most important checks.

Federalism means that the national government is the only significant decision-making body in the United States.

The power of eminent domain refers to the right of

The framers of the Constitution reinforced the principle of federalism in the Bill of Rights.

Well into the twentieth century,most efforts by Congress to regulate commerce were blocked by the Supreme Court's interpretation of federalism,with the primary barrier being the concept of

The legal doctrine holding that states cannot be sued by private persons or groups claiming that the state violated a statute enacted by Congress is known as state

Explain the trade-offs that exist between concentrating power in the hands of the federal government and dispersing power across the 50 states.

In McCulloch v.Maryland,the Supreme Court recognized and reinforced the __________ clause.

The necessary and proper clause of the Constitution put severe restrictions on what actions the federal government could take.

How has the Constitution balanced the need for government to take effective action with the need to prevent abuse arising from an excessive concentration of power?

Which term describes federal subsidies of special state and local activities?

The condition in American government in which the presidency is controlled by one party while the opposing party controls one or both houses of Congress is known as