POLS 207 Exam Questions And Answers | 2026 Update

POLS 207 Exam Questions And Answers | 2026 Update What is economic development?- - Answer- Broadly defined as population growth and the income and educational levels of a state's population. How has the ethnic composition of the United States changed in the last twenty years?- - Answer- In the last twenty years, the ethnic composition of the US has changed in a number of ways. Most notably however, the Hispanic population has become the largest minority group, with more than 1-in-6 people in the US being Hispanic. Also, Asians have become the nations fastest growing minority group. Lastly, in the last 20 years the US has seen our first African American governor (Virginia 1989) and President (Obama 2008) elected. Know which level of government is responsible for which different policies- - Answer- State and local governments are responsible for policies concerning healthcare, health and welfare (biggest 2), transportation, public safety, civil rights, physical environment, and taxation. What is policy conservatism?- - Answer- Policy conservatism refers to a states tendency to limit welfare benefits, deregulate business, keep taxes low, and generally place less reliance on government and more reliance on individuals and the marketplace to achieve social goals. Based on this definition, some of the most conservative states are AL, ND, WY, MS, and UT. What is policy liberalism?- - Answer- Policy liberalism refers to a states tendency to expand welfare benefits, regulate business, adopt progressive state income taxes, and generally use the resources of government to achieve social change Based on this definitions, some of the most liberal states are Mass., OR, Vermont, Delaware, and CT. From where do state and local governments derive their revenue?- - Answer- State and local governments derive the majority of their revenue from property taxes. However, following closely behind on this list would be gross sales tax. After this comes individual income taxes and corporate income taxes (for states that have these, TX doesn't). Lastly, vehicle registration fees make up a very small percent of the revenue. Know the different types of government systems (federalism, unitary, confederation)- - Answer- The federalism type of government is a system of government in which power is divided between national and sub national governments with both exercising separate and autonomous authority, both electing their own officials, and both taxing their own citizens for the provision of public services. In a unitary system, there is a constitutional arrangement whereby authority rests with the national government; subnational governments have only those powers given to the by the national government. Lastly, a confederation is a constitutional arrangement whereby the national government is created by and relies on subnational governments for it's authority. Why are state called "laboratories of democracy?" - Answer- States are sometimes call "laboratories of democracy" because sometimes, laws will be first tested on a state level prior to becoming a national law. For example, if the law that is being tested in a state and it succeeds, lawmakers can use that as evidence that they think it will work on a national scale as well. What is nullification? - Answer- Nullification is the thought process that states can and MUST refuse to enforce unconstitutional national laws. What are enumerated powers? - Answer- Enumerated powers (or delegated powers) are powers specifically mentioned in the Constitution as belonging to the national government. These powers can be found in Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution. These powers include authority over matters of war and foreign affairs, the power to declare war, raise armies, equip navies, establish rules for the military, to coin money, to control the moneys value, to regulate foreign and interstate commerce, to tax, to establish its own court system, to decide cases arising under the constitution and the laws and treaties of the US and cases involving certain parties, to grant copyrights and patents, establish post offices, enact bankruptcy laws, punish counterfeiters, punish crimes committed at sea, and govern the Washington DC area. Lastly, Article I Section 8 of the constitution provides the power to "make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in the government of the US or in any dept. or officer thereof. What are implied powers? - Answer- Implied powers are powers not specifically mentioned in the US Constitution as belonging to Congress, but inferred as necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated powers. Know the 10th Amendment - Answer- The 10th Amendment states that any powers not explicitly given to the national government, as long as they are not prohibited by the constitution, are given to the States/the people. Marbury v. Madison (1803) - Answer- ¥ In the case of Marbury v. Madison, for the first time the Supreme Court declared a law unconstitutional. At the very end of his term, President John Adams had made many federal appointments, including William Marbury as justice of the peace in the District of Columbia. ¥ Thomas Jefferson, the new president, refused to recognize the appointment of Marbury. ¥ The normal practice of making such appointments was to deliver a "commission," or notice, of appointment. This was normally done by the Secretary of State. Jefferson's Secretary of State at the time was James Madison. ¥ At the direction of Jefferson, Madison refused to deliver Marbury's commission. Marbury sued Madison, and the Supreme Court took the case. Chief Justice John Marshall wrote that the Judiciary Act of 1789, which spelled out the practice of delivering such commissions for judges and justices of the peace, was unconstitutional because it the gave the Supreme Court authority that was denied it by Article III of the Constitution. Thus, the Supreme Court said, the Judiciary Act of 1789 was illegal and not to be followed.