A capitalist economic system is one in which

A capitalist economic system is one in which

a) individuals and corporations share ownership of the principal means of production, and profits are distributed equally.
b) all individuals have an equal chance of owning the principal means of production, often in the form of stock ownership.
c) a central government determines production and price levels.
d) private individuals act according to market principles and enhance the general welfare, with no government involvement.
e) individuals and corporations own the principal means of production, through which they seek to earn profits.


Answer: e) individuals and corporations own the principal means of production, through which they seek to earn profits.

The principle of judicial review was first established expressly in writing in the Supreme Court decision of

The principle of judicial review was first established expressly in writing in the Supreme Court decision of

a) Marshall v. Jefferson.
b) United States v. Nixon.
c) McCulloch v. Maryland.
d) Marshall v. United States Congress.
e) Marbury v. Madison.


Answer: e) Marbury v. Madison.

Judicial review means

Judicial review means

a) the power to remove Supreme Court justices from the bench if deemed unfit to retain office.
b) the right of the Congress to determine whether a decision of the Supreme Court is or is not Constitutional.
c) the Solicitor General's oversight of the courts to make sure that rulings are uniform nationwide and that procedural due process is being followed by all courts.
d) the right of the president to determine whether a decision of the Supreme Court is or is not Constitutional.
e) the right of the courts to determine whether executive or legislative acts are or are not Constitutional.


Answer: e) the right of the courts to determine whether executive or legislative acts are or are not Constitutional.

Grants that are given more or less automatically to states or communities, which have discretion in deciding how to spend the money are called

Grants that are given more or less automatically to states or communities, which have discretion in deciding how to spend the money are called

a) categorical grants.
b) discretionary grants.
c) block grants.
d) project grants.
e) formula grants.


Answer: c) block grants.

The requirement of a drinking age provision before states can receive federal highway aid is an example of

The requirement of a drinking age provision before states can receive federal highway aid is an example of

a) an important element of the "formula" used to calculate formula grants.
b) a string attached to categorical grants.
c) an unfunded mandate.
d) the efforts of state agencies to get federal funds.
e) a project grant supported by the interest groups.


Answer: b) a string attached to categorical grants.

The main type of federal aid to state and local governments is in the form of

The main type of federal aid to state and local governments is in the form of

a) block grants.
b) categorical grants.
c) formula grants.
d) project grants.
e) revenue sharing.


Answer: b) categorical grants.

The principal type of federal aid for states and localities is

The principal type of federal aid for states and localities is

a) categorical grants.
b) block grants.
c) disaster loans.
d) revenue sharing.
e) urban renewal grants.


Answer: a) categorical grants.

The main instrument that national government uses for both aiding and influencing states and localities is

The main instrument that national government uses for both aiding and influencing states and localities is

a) mandates.
b) revenue sharing.
c) politics.
d) judicial decisions.
e) grants-in-aid.


Answer: e) grants-in-aid.

The main instrument the national government uses to influence state governments is

The main instrument the national government uses to influence state governments is

a) judicial review.
b) presidential decrees.
c) mandates.
d) the Tenth Amendment.
e) grants-in-aid.


Answer: e) grants-in-aid.

Federal regulation of state governments is usually accomplished through

Federal regulation of state governments is usually accomplished through

a) attaching conditions to grants it gives them.
b) presidential decrees.
c) United States Supreme Court decisions.
d) direct, executive orders.
e) federalization of a state's national guard.


Answer: a) attaching conditions to grants it gives them.

In cooperative federalism, in order to qualify for federal grant money, cities and states must

In cooperative federalism, in order to qualify for federal grant money, cities and states must

a) follow federal guidelines for adopting and enforcing federal laws.
b) propose standard operating procedures.
c) allow federal agencies to administer the funds.
d) match federal funding dollar for dollar.
e) all of the above.


Answer: a) follow federal guidelines for adopting and enforcing federal laws.

Funding for the interstate highway system is an example of

Funding for the interstate highway system is an example of

a) national federalism.
b) dual federalism.
c) tripartite federalism.
d) cooperative federalism.
e) a unitary system of government.


Answer: d) cooperative federalism.

Federal support for public education is an example of

Federal support for public education is an example of

a) cooperative federalism.
b) pragmatic federalism.
c) dual federalism.
d) layer cake federalism.
e) separation of powers.


Answer: a) cooperative federalism.

A tuition difference between in-state and out-of-state students is an example of

A tuition difference between in-state and out-of-state students is an example of

a) federal exceptions to the full faith and credit provision.
b) full faith and credit being extended to all students.
c) how states make exceptions to the privileges and immunities clause.
d) project grants to the states.
e) dual federalism.


Answer: c) how states make exceptions to the privileges and immunities clause.

A marriage license issued in one state is valid and honored in all states under the constitutional provision of

A marriage license issued in one state is valid and honored in all states under the constitutional provision of

a) separation of powers.
b) full faith and credit.
c) national licensure.
d) privileges and immunities.
e) national supremacy.


Answer: b) full faith and credit.

Federal policies to regulate food and drugs, build interstate highways, and protect consumers are all justified as

Federal policies to regulate food and drugs, build interstate highways, and protect consumers are all justified as

a) implied powers of Congress.
b) enumerated powers of Congress.
c) delegated powers of Congress.
d) presidential prerogatives.
e) both C and D


Answer: a) implied powers of Congress.

The Constitution states that Congress has the power to establish post offices. This is an example of

The Constitution states that Congress has the power to establish post offices. This is an example of

a) reserved powers.
b) delegated powers.
c) shared powers.
d) enumerated powers.
e) implied powers.


Answer: d) enumerated powers.

Extradition is the requirement that states

Extradition is the requirement that states

a) must return a person charged with a crime in another state to that state for trial or imprisonment.
b) recognize each others public acts, records, and civil judicial proceedings.
c) provide sanctuary for federal criminals.
d) cannot discriminate against citizens of other states.
e) enforce federal law within their state.


Answer: a) must return a person charged with a crime in another state to that state for trial or imprisonment.

The constitutional requirement that the states return a person charged with a crime in another state to that state for trial or imprisonment is known as

The constitutional requirement that the states return a person charged with a crime in another state to that state for trial or imprisonment is known as

a) privileges and immunities.
b) the elastic clause.
c) extradition.
d) full faith and credit.
e) forfeiture.


Answer: c) extradition.

The Constitution requires that states give _____ to the public acts, records, and civil judicial proceedings of every other state.

The Constitution requires that states give _____ to the public acts, records, and civil judicial proceedings of every other state.

a) privileges and immunities
b) extradition
c) some consideration
d) full faith and credit
e) due process


Answer: d) full faith and credit

Enumerated powers are those that are

Enumerated powers are those that are

a) implied in the Constitution.
b) granted specifically to the president.
c) reserved for the states.
d) stated in the Constitution.
e) involving money matters.


Answer: d) stated in the Constitution.

The Constitution's provision that Congress has the right to "make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution" its powers is often referred to as the

The Constitution's provision that Congress has the right to "make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution" its powers is often referred to as the

a) elastic clause.
b) Unwritten Amendment.
c) privileges and immunities.
d) heart of fiscal federalism.
e) enumerated powers.


Answer: a) elastic clause.

The enumerated powers of Congress and the national government are those

The enumerated powers of Congress and the national government are those

a) involving taxes, spending, and fiscal policy.
b) not specifically spelled out in the Constitution, but nonetheless acknowledged.
c) requiring ratification by the states.
d) set out in the first ten amendments.
e) specifically spelled out in the Constitution.




Answer: e) specifically spelled out in the Constitution.

The principle that the national government has certain implied powers that go beyond its enumerated powers was first elaborated in the Supreme Court's decision in

The principle that the national government has certain implied powers that go beyond its enumerated powers was first elaborated in the Supreme Court's decision in

a) Gibbons v. Ogden.
b) United States v. the States.
c) Marbury v. Madison.
d) Miranda v. Arizona.
e) McCulloch v. Maryland.


Answer: e) McCulloch v. Maryland.

The Supreme Court case of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

The Supreme Court case of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) 

a) established Baltimore as the capital of Maryland.
b) recognized that Congress was limited to its enumerated powers.
c) established the principle of judicial review.
d) established the supremacy of state governments.
e) stated that the Constitution gave Congress implied powers.


Answer: e) stated that the Constitution gave Congress implied powers.

In its McCulloch v. Maryland decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of

In its McCulloch v. Maryland decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of

a) judicial review.
b) the supremacy of the national government over the states.
c) Maryland in a dispute with the national government.
d) the supremacy of the states over the national government.
e) judicial restraint.



Answer: b) the supremacy of the national government over the states.

Which of these was NOT a principle established in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland?

Which of these was NOT a principle established in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland?

a) State governments are forbidden spending more money than they raise each year, while there is no such requirement on the national government.
b) The national government is supreme to the states when it is acting within its sphere of action.
c) The national government has certain implied powers that go beyond its enumerated powers.
d) The national government can establish a national bank, even though the Constitution does not say it can.
e) State laws preempt national laws when the national government clearly exceeds its constitutional powers and intrudes upon state powers.


Answer: a) State governments are forbidden spending more money than they raise each year, while there is no such requirement on the national government.

In the Constitution, the powers to coin money, to enter into treaties, and to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states were given to

In the Constitution, the powers to coin money, to enter into treaties, and to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states were given to

a) the individual states.
b) neither the individual states nor the national government.
c) both the individual states and the national government.
d) the Senate only.
e) the national government.


Answer: e) the national government.

The supremacy clause

The supremacy clause

a) establishes the Supreme Court as the final arbiter in all civil and criminal disputes.
b) states that the people are the supreme authority in the United States and that the government shall be subservient to them.
c) establishes the Constitution, laws of the national government, and treaties as the supreme law of the land.
d) states that powers not delegated to the Untied States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by the states, are reserved to the states.
e) declares that the national government is superior to the states in every concern.


Answer: c) establishes the Constitution, laws of the national government, and treaties as the supreme law of the land.

The Constitution's supremacy clause

The Constitution's supremacy clause

a) makes the president supreme in any constitutional conflicts with the other two branches.
b) does not apply to state and local matters.
c) gives the states superiority over the national government's Constitution and laws.
d) is vague about which level of government should prevail in a dispute involving federalism.
e) made the Constitution, the laws of the national government, and the national government's treaties the supreme law of the land.


Answer: e) made the Constitution, the laws of the national government, and the national government's treaties the supreme law of the land.

In our federal system, the powers of the state governments are ultimately granted by

In our federal system, the powers of the state governments are ultimately granted by

a) the people of their state.
b) the United States Constitution.
c) the United States government.
d) their state legislature.
e) their state's Supreme Court.


Answer: b) the United States Constitution.

Laws that directly regulate abortion, drinking ages, marriage and divorce, or sexual behavior are policy prerogatives that belong to

Laws that directly regulate abortion, drinking ages, marriage and divorce, or sexual behavior are policy prerogatives that belong to

a) Congress.
b) local governments.
c) the bureaucracy.
d) the states.
e) federal courts.


Answer: d) the states.

The power to directly regulate such things as drinking ages, marriage and divorce, and sexual behavior has been granted

The power to directly regulate such things as drinking ages, marriage and divorce, and sexual behavior has been granted

a) to state governments.
b) to both the state and national governments.
c) to the national government.
d) to the president.
e) to all governments by the Bill of Rights.


Answer: a) to state governments.

Federalism is a way of organizing a nation so that

Federalism is a way of organizing a nation so that

a) power is centralized in state and local government.
b) power is centralized in the national government.
c) there are three branches of government and a system of checks and balances.
d) there is one federal government and all regional governments are administrative subunits of it.
e) both national and state levels of government have authority over the same land and people.


Answer: e) both national and state levels of government have authority over the same land a people.

Which of the following is an example of a confederation?

Which of the following is an example of a confederation?

a) the United Nations
b) Britain
c) France
d) state governments in the United States
e) OPEC


Answer: a) the United Nations

A unitary system is a way of organizing government so that

A unitary system is a way of organizing government so that

a) power is concentrated in state and local governments.
b) both national and state levels of government have authority over the same land and people.
c) every single government is independent of the others and possesses its own specialized power and authority.
d) national and state governments have separate powers over different areas and people.
e) power is concentrated in a central government.


Answer: e) power is concentrated in a central government.

A form of governmental structure in which the national government is weak and most or all power is in the hands of its components (e.g., states) is known as

A form of governmental structure in which the national government is weak and most or all power is in the hands of its components (e.g., states) is known as

a) federalism.
b) a confederation.
c) parliamentary.
d) statist.
e) a unitary government.



Answer: b) a confederation.

Federalism is

Federalism is

a) unique to the United States alone.
b) practiced by nearly all of the 190 nations worldwide.
c) practiced in about half the American states.
d) practiced by about half the nations worldwide.
e) practiced by fewer than 20 nations worldwide.


Answer: e) practiced by fewer than 20 nations worldwide.

The Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison (1803) asserted the power of the Court to

The Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison (1803) asserted the power of the Court to

a) check the actions of the other branches through judicial review.
b) confirm presidential appointments.
c) determine its own size and makeup.
d) nullify constitutional amendments.
e) impeach the president.


Answer: a) check the actions of the other branches through judicial review.

To propose a formal amendment to the Constitution, one needs to have a

To propose a formal amendment to the Constitution, one needs to have a 

a) three-quarters vote in Congress.
b) national convention requested by half of the states.
c) the president's approval.
d) majority vote of the Supreme Court.
e) two-thirds vote in Congress.


Answer: e) two-thirds vote in Congress.

The most important effect of the constitutional amendments has been to

The most important effect of the constitutional amendments has been to

a) reinforce elite control of government.
b) strengthen the capitalist economy.
c) expand the powers of the states.
d) expand liberty and equality.
e) all of the above


Answer: d) expand liberty and equality.

Constitutional amendments are usually ratified by

Constitutional amendments are usually ratified by

a) a majority of the Supreme Court.
b) legislatures of three-fourths of the states.
c) a national convention.
d) state conventions called by two-thirds vote in Congress.
e) a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress.


Answer: b) legislatures of three-fourths of the states.

The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution

The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution

a) during the ratification process, before final ratification of the constitution.
b) during the Constitutional Convention, at the insistence of Thomas Jefferson.
c) after the ratification process was complete, and partly to fulfill a promise to those who supported ratification.
d) piece by piece during the first hundred years of its operation.
e) in 1865 after the union victory in the Civil War.


Answer: c) after the ratification process was complete, and partly to fulfill a promise to those who supported ratification.

Opposition to ratification of the Constitution was based on the belief that it would

Opposition to ratification of the Constitution was based on the belief that it would

a) provide for elite control, endanger liberty, and weaken the states.
b) promote pluralism, which would threaten liberty.
c) produce more democratic elements than desirable for a strong central government.
d) give too much power to the states.
e) all of the above


Answer: a) provide for elite control, endanger liberty, and weaken the states.

The Anti-Federalists believed that the new constitution

The Anti-Federalists believed that the new constitution

a) created a new government too weak to be effective, and they preferred a monarchy to ensure stability.
b) was a thinly disguised attempt to abolish a federal form of government in the United States.
c) with whatever faults it might have, was the young nation's best hope for a workable government.
d) was an enemy of freedom and designed to give control of the government to a rich elite.
e) was too democratic and would lead to tyranny of the masses against the wealthy.


Answer: d) was an enemy of freedom and designed to give control of the government to a rich elite.

The 'Federalist Papers' were

The 'Federalist Papers' were

a) essays in support of ratification of the constitution.
b) newspapers which backed the Federalist party in early United States elections.
c) the notes that George Washington took at the Constitutional Convention.
d) the original name of the constitution written by the Constitutional Convention.
e) essays written that were critical of the constitution.


Answer: e) essays in support of ratification of the constitution.

The Madisonian requirement that each branch of government acquire the consent of the others for many of its actions created a system of

The Madisonian requirement that each branch of government acquire the consent of the others for many of its actions created a system of

a) cross-cutting requirements.
b) confederated government.
c) constitutional republic.
d) separation of powers.
e) checks and balances.


Answer: e) checks and balances.

The system of checks and balances in the Constitution means that

The system of checks and balances in the Constitution means that

a) we have a direct democracy, with all branches equally accessible to strong public pressure.
b) changes in government policy can be made with relative ease, with few obstacles to stop a popular new force.
c) each branch of government has its own powers independent of the other.
d) a majority can easily manipulate the system, but a minority cannot.
e) change usually comes slowly, if at all, and moderation and compromise are typical in our political system.


Answer: e) change usually comes slowly, if at all, and moderation and compromise are typical in our political system.

The Constitution prohibited the states from doing each of the following EXCEPT

The Constitution prohibited the states from doing each of the following EXCEPT

a) placing duties on imports from other states.
b) establishing a republican form of government.
c) printing paper money.
d) interfering with lawfully contracted debts.
e) harboring runaway slaves.


Answer: b) establishing a republican form of government.

The framers of the Constitution gave the chief economic policymaking role to

The framers of the Constitution gave the chief economic policymaking role to

a) Congress.
b) the Federal Reserve Board.
c) the courts.
d) the president.
e) the states.


Answer: a) Congress.

Compared to the government under the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution gave the central government

Compared to the government under the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution gave the central government

a) about the same economic powers.
b) almost no economic powers.
c) far fewer powers.
d) total control of the economy.
e) more economic powers.


Answer: e) more economic powers.

The debate at the Philadelphia Convention over eligibility to vote was resolved by

The debate at the Philadelphia Convention over eligibility to vote was resolved by

a) allowing all males, but no females to vote.
b) requiring voter registration before one would be eligible to vote.
c) leaving it up to the individual states.
d) permitting all citizens over 21 to vote.
e) requiring universal manhood suffrage.


Answer: c) leaving it up to the individual states.

Regarding the right to vote in national elections, the framers of the Constitution

Regarding the right to vote in national elections, the framers of the Constitution

a) included a requirement that all free, adult males be allowed to vote.
b) decided to leave it up to the individual states to determine voter qualifications in their own states.
c) required that all free,adult males with property worth at least $50 be allowed to vote.
d) provided that free men and women over the age of 20 be allowed to vote.
e) finally granted women the right to vote.


Answer: b) decided to leave it up to the individual states to determine voter qualifications in their own states.

In determining congressional representation and taxation, the Constitution

In determining congressional representation and taxation, the Constitution

a) was silent on the issue of how slaves would be counted, instead leaving the issue to each state to decide.
b) did not count slaves.
c) counted slates as three-fifth of a person.
d) counted slaves the same as free persons.
e) counted slaves as one-half of a person


Answer: c) counted slaves as three-fifths of a person.

On the issue of slaves, the Constitution specified

On the issue of slaves, the Constitution specified

a) that slaves would count as three-fifths persons for counting the nation's population and determining seats in the House.
b) that slavery would be banned beginning in 1800.
c) that a gradual end to slavery must be worked out by Congress and the states within ten years.
d) a boundary, known as the Mason-Dixon line, south of which slavery would be legal.
e) nothing. It was too controversial a subject and the delegates could not agree on anything regarding it.


Answer: a) that slaves would count as three-fifths persons for counting the nation's population and determining seats in the House.

The Connecticut Compromise at the Constitutional Convention

The Connecticut Compromise at the Constitutional Convention

a) added the Bill of Rights to the Constitution in order to lessen concerns about too much power for the new government.
b) resolved the impasse between those who favored the New Jersey Plan and those who preferred the Virginia Plan.
c) threw out the idea of having a monarchy in the United States, opting instead for an indirectly elected president.
d) settled the dispute over whether slavery should be allowed in the final constitution.
e) involved all of these elements.


Answer: b) resolved the impasse between those who favored the New Jersey Plan and those who preferred the Virginia Plan.

As originally established by the Constitution, the House of Representatives had how many members from each state?

As originally established by the Constitution, the House of Representatives had how many members from each state?

a) one
b) two
c) seven
d) It depended on the state's population.
e) none


Answer: d) It depended on the state's population.

According to the Constitution, each state was entitled to how many senators?

According to the Constitution, each state was entitled to how many senators?

a) It depended on the state's population.
b) as many as it wanted to send
c) two
d) none
e) one


Answer: c) two