POLS 207 Exam 1 Review (TAMU Smith)
correct Questions & Answers
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- most
common
Popular initiative
Constitutional convention
Constitutional revision commissions.
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.
What is the philosophy behind the current Texas Constitution? - ANSWER-Limited
government and limited powers for governor. It was in response to the Davis
administration. Distrust of politicians.
Consitution of Coahuila y Tejas, 1827 - ANSWER-Written when under Mexican rule.
Mexico City let their states write their own constitution. Unicameral legislature,
Catholicism is state religion, but American immigrants don't have to be Catholic. It was
written in Spanish. Santa Anna tries to changed Mexico from federation to Unitary and
causes Texas revolution.
Climate of the Constitutional Convention of 1875 - ANSWER-Mostly democrat. Lots of
farmers/ members of the Grange.
Anti-big government as a result of the terrible Davis administration.
Differences between the Bill of Rights in the Texas and US constitutions? - ANSWER-
Texas Bill of Rights was written directly into article 1 of the constitution whereas the US
bill of rights is all amendments. The Texas Bill of Rights also has equal rights laws.
Also in different order of than US bill of rights. Also the Texas on has positive laws, laws
that say what the government can do to you.
correct Questions & Answers
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- most
common
Popular initiative
Constitutional convention
Constitutional revision commissions.
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.
What is the philosophy behind the current Texas Constitution? - ANSWER-Limited
government and limited powers for governor. It was in response to the Davis
administration. Distrust of politicians.
Consitution of Coahuila y Tejas, 1827 - ANSWER-Written when under Mexican rule.
Mexico City let their states write their own constitution. Unicameral legislature,
Catholicism is state religion, but American immigrants don't have to be Catholic. It was
written in Spanish. Santa Anna tries to changed Mexico from federation to Unitary and
causes Texas revolution.
Climate of the Constitutional Convention of 1875 - ANSWER-Mostly democrat. Lots of
farmers/ members of the Grange.
Anti-big government as a result of the terrible Davis administration.
Differences between the Bill of Rights in the Texas and US constitutions? - ANSWER-
Texas Bill of Rights was written directly into article 1 of the constitution whereas the US
bill of rights is all amendments. The Texas Bill of Rights also has equal rights laws.
Also in different order of than US bill of rights. Also the Texas on has positive laws, laws
that say what the government can do to you.
