POLS 207 EXAM 1 REVIEW (TAMU
SMITH) WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS
Federal government policies - ANSWER-The only level that can make foreign treaties
and declare war. Cannot manage local police forces.
State government policies - ANSWER-Education, health and welfare, transportation,
public safety, civil rights, physical environment, taxation
different types of govt - ANSWER-federalism-way of organizing country with 2 or more
levels of govt; SHARE POWER
unitary-power located centreal; FEDERAL(power)
Confederation-power rests with smaller units;STATES
Different types of Federalism - ANSWER-dual-layer cake;where st power begins, fed
ends
cooperative-marble cake;fed govt reached into st
coercive-TODAYS; influenced by $
Redistributive policies - ANSWER-policy that provides to 1 group of society while taking
benefits away from other ex:food stamp
Social Stratification - ANSWER-system which society ranks categories of people in
hierarchy
From where do state and local governments derive their revenue? - ANSWER-Local
property taxes- largest income for local governments
State sales tax- most important income for states
Selective sales tax or excise taxes
State income tax (not in Texas)
Corporate taxes
Lottery and Gambling revenue- admin cost take half of revenue
User charges- fastest growing
Why are states called "laboratories of democracy?" - ANSWER-They can more easily
implement new policies than the national government. Policy innovators.
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.
Funded- govt gives $
underfunded- partial $
Unfunded mandates: issues rules/regulation no pay
What is preemption? - ANSWER-The displacement of state law by federal law. Fed govt
purchase of goods/shares by one person/party before opportunity is offered to others
Combination electoral system - ANSWER-some seats are voted on by the entire city/
county while others are by district. Officials voted on At large or single member districts.
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.
-LOW TAX,LOW SERVICE
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. amended 483 times. 1876
devolution - ANSWER-giving power back to states/local
SMITH) WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS
Federal government policies - ANSWER-The only level that can make foreign treaties
and declare war. Cannot manage local police forces.
State government policies - ANSWER-Education, health and welfare, transportation,
public safety, civil rights, physical environment, taxation
different types of govt - ANSWER-federalism-way of organizing country with 2 or more
levels of govt; SHARE POWER
unitary-power located centreal; FEDERAL(power)
Confederation-power rests with smaller units;STATES
Different types of Federalism - ANSWER-dual-layer cake;where st power begins, fed
ends
cooperative-marble cake;fed govt reached into st
coercive-TODAYS; influenced by $
Redistributive policies - ANSWER-policy that provides to 1 group of society while taking
benefits away from other ex:food stamp
Social Stratification - ANSWER-system which society ranks categories of people in
hierarchy
From where do state and local governments derive their revenue? - ANSWER-Local
property taxes- largest income for local governments
State sales tax- most important income for states
Selective sales tax or excise taxes
State income tax (not in Texas)
Corporate taxes
Lottery and Gambling revenue- admin cost take half of revenue
User charges- fastest growing
Why are states called "laboratories of democracy?" - ANSWER-They can more easily
implement new policies than the national government. Policy innovators.
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.
Funded- govt gives $
underfunded- partial $
Unfunded mandates: issues rules/regulation no pay
What is preemption? - ANSWER-The displacement of state law by federal law. Fed govt
purchase of goods/shares by one person/party before opportunity is offered to others
Combination electoral system - ANSWER-some seats are voted on by the entire city/
county while others are by district. Officials voted on At large or single member districts.
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.
-LOW TAX,LOW SERVICE
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. amended 483 times. 1876
devolution - ANSWER-giving power back to states/local
