Political Science 161
Questions for Bardes, et al.,
1. What questions need to be considered in recognizing same-sex marriages nationally?
2. Distinguish between a unitary system, a confederal system, and a federal system. What are the arguments for federalism (meaning decentralization of power)? How about those against federalism?
3. What are enumerated powers? Implied powers? What is the necessary and proper clause? What is another name for this clause? What are the inherent powers of the federal government? What are the reserved powers? What is the police power? What are concurrent powers? Give an example of each of the above powers.
4. What is the supremacy clause? What is meant by federal preemption? What do the authors mean by horizontal federalism? What three clauses concerning relations between the states were taken from the Articles of Confederation? What is an interstate compact?
5.
What is the importance of McCulloch v. Maryland? How
about Gibbons v.
6. Distinguish between dual federalism and cooperative federalism. What is picket fence federalism? What is a categorical grant-in-aid? What is a block grant?
7. What is a federal mandate? What is devolution of power? Describe some inconsistencies in the liberal and conservative positions on federalism. How has the Supreme Court recently changed the interpretation of the Commerce Clause as well as the 10th and 11th Amendments?
8. Why is the question of federalism important today?
9. Be sure to read the box on writing a letter to the editor.