POLS 207 Exam 1 Review (TAMU Smith)
With Complete Solutions
What is nullification? - ANSWER-The legal theory that states can invalidate a federal
law which is deemed unconstitutional. Has never been upheld in a supreme court.
What are enumerated powers? - ANSWER-Powers expressly given to the federal
government in the constitution.
What are implied powers? - ANSWER-Powers that are not expressly given to the
federal government in the constitution but given to it under article 1 section 18. The
necessary and proper clause.
10th amendment - ANSWER-States rights- powers not delegated to the US by the
constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively or
the people.
Marbury vs Madison (1803) - ANSWER-Expanded the authority of the supreme court.
Gave the idea of judicial review
Involved Marbury who didn't receive the commission he was supposed to receive from
Madison.
McCulloch vs Maryland (1819) - ANSWER-Expanded the implied powers of the national
government.
Fought over whether or not Maryland could tax the national bank branch in that state.
Solidified the idea of preemption and implied powers of Congress.
Why are federal grants in aid important? - ANSWER-It's the cornerstone of the
relationship between national and state governments. Money between governments.
Categorical grants: money with strings attached, must be spent on certain things.
Block grants: money without strings attached.
Most grant in aid is heath and human services.
What are mandates? - ANSWER-Federal mandates: orders the state or local
governments to comply with federal laws.
Unfunded mandates: mandates imposed on State and local governments that are costly
and no money is given to pay for them.
In State federal relations it's the direct command from the national government to a
state to provide particular services. Authority granted to the government by the people.
What is preemption? - ANSWER-The displacement of state law by federal law. Federal
government says bro stop you can't do whatever law you're trying to do, and passes a
law that they want.
, What is usually contained in state constitutions? - ANSWER-Bill of rights
Separation of Powers
Weak governors
Legislative powers to make laws
Local governments
Interest group regulation
Taxation and Finance
Debt limitation
What is constitutionalism? - ANSWER-Limited government
The idea that the powers of government should be limited by a constitution
A government of laws not of people.
Why are state constitutions so long? - ANSWER-More direct control over citizens.
From where do local governments derive their power? - ANSWER-The state
How do most states amend their constitution? - ANSWER-Legislative proposal.
What do counties do? - ANSWER-Govern unincorporated areas.
Property taxes.
Sheriff's office
County commissioner.
Mainly administrative functions for the states.
What do special districts do? - ANSWER-Special districts can cross multiple counties
and have control over one specific area such as mass transit.
At-large elections - ANSWER-Pure at large: all of the electorate votes and candidates
who receive the most votes get one of the available spots.
At large by position: all of the electorate votes but the candidates run for individual
numbered seats.
At large from residency district: candidates run to represent a specific district where they
live but the entire city or county gets to vote on them.
Single member district elections - ANSWER-residents only get to vote for the
representative for the district they live in.
Combination electoral system - ANSWER-some seats are voted on by the entire city/
county while others are by district.
What is the political culture of Texas? - ANSWER-A mix of individualistic and
traditionalistic. Individualistic favors less government "bootstraps" mentality,
Government is a marketplace, limited government.
With Complete Solutions
What is nullification? - ANSWER-The legal theory that states can invalidate a federal
law which is deemed unconstitutional. Has never been upheld in a supreme court.
What are enumerated powers? - ANSWER-Powers expressly given to the federal
government in the constitution.
What are implied powers? - ANSWER-Powers that are not expressly given to the
federal government in the constitution but given to it under article 1 section 18. The
necessary and proper clause.
10th amendment - ANSWER-States rights- powers not delegated to the US by the
constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively or
the people.
Marbury vs Madison (1803) - ANSWER-Expanded the authority of the supreme court.
Gave the idea of judicial review
Involved Marbury who didn't receive the commission he was supposed to receive from
Madison.
McCulloch vs Maryland (1819) - ANSWER-Expanded the implied powers of the national
government.
Fought over whether or not Maryland could tax the national bank branch in that state.
Solidified the idea of preemption and implied powers of Congress.
Why are federal grants in aid important? - ANSWER-It's the cornerstone of the
relationship between national and state governments. Money between governments.
Categorical grants: money with strings attached, must be spent on certain things.
Block grants: money without strings attached.
Most grant in aid is heath and human services.
What are mandates? - ANSWER-Federal mandates: orders the state or local
governments to comply with federal laws.
Unfunded mandates: mandates imposed on State and local governments that are costly
and no money is given to pay for them.
In State federal relations it's the direct command from the national government to a
state to provide particular services. Authority granted to the government by the people.
What is preemption? - ANSWER-The displacement of state law by federal law. Federal
government says bro stop you can't do whatever law you're trying to do, and passes a
law that they want.
, What is usually contained in state constitutions? - ANSWER-Bill of rights
Separation of Powers
Weak governors
Legislative powers to make laws
Local governments
Interest group regulation
Taxation and Finance
Debt limitation
What is constitutionalism? - ANSWER-Limited government
The idea that the powers of government should be limited by a constitution
A government of laws not of people.
Why are state constitutions so long? - ANSWER-More direct control over citizens.
From where do local governments derive their power? - ANSWER-The state
How do most states amend their constitution? - ANSWER-Legislative proposal.
What do counties do? - ANSWER-Govern unincorporated areas.
Property taxes.
Sheriff's office
County commissioner.
Mainly administrative functions for the states.
What do special districts do? - ANSWER-Special districts can cross multiple counties
and have control over one specific area such as mass transit.
At-large elections - ANSWER-Pure at large: all of the electorate votes and candidates
who receive the most votes get one of the available spots.
At large by position: all of the electorate votes but the candidates run for individual
numbered seats.
At large from residency district: candidates run to represent a specific district where they
live but the entire city or county gets to vote on them.
Single member district elections - ANSWER-residents only get to vote for the
representative for the district they live in.
Combination electoral system - ANSWER-some seats are voted on by the entire city/
county while others are by district.
What is the political culture of Texas? - ANSWER-A mix of individualistic and
traditionalistic. Individualistic favors less government "bootstraps" mentality,
Government is a marketplace, limited government.
