State and Local Government Flashcards
7 cards from real Civic Literacy Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 State and Local Government flashcards as text
What is the term for the constitutional division of powers between the federal government and state governments?
Answer: Federalism
Federalism is the system that divides governmental authority between a national government and state governments, each with their own areas of sovereignty.
Which clause of the U.S. Constitution establishes that federal law takes precedence over conflicting state law?
Answer: Supremacy Clause
The Supremacy Clause (Article VI) declares that the Constitution and federal laws are the 'supreme Law of the Land,' overriding any conflicting state laws.
Under the 10th Amendment, powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved for whom?
Answer: The states or the people
The 10th Amendment explicitly reserves all powers not granted to the federal government to the states or to the people, protecting state sovereignty.
Which of the following is an example of a 'concurrent power' shared by both the federal and state governments?
Answer: Levying taxes
Levying taxes is a concurrent power because both the federal and state governments have the authority to collect taxes from residents.
What document serves as the fundamental law of a state, functioning similarly to the U.S. Constitution at the state level?
Answer: State constitution
Each state has its own constitution that establishes the structure of state government, defines the rights of citizens, and limits the power of state officials.
What is the most common unit of local government in the United States that typically handles services like courts, roads, and property records?
Answer: County government
County governments are the most common form of local government in the U.S., serving as administrative divisions of states and providing essential services to residents.
Which type of municipality is typically incorporated, has defined boundaries, and provides the broadest range of local government services?
Answer: City
Cities are incorporated municipalities that provide a full range of services including police, fire, utilities, and zoning, governed by elected officials under a city charter.