Exam 1: Section 1: Organization and Structure of Government - Practice Questions

Compare and contrast the concepts of "government sovereignty" and "popular sovereignty." (S1.1)

Government sovereignty: national government cannot be sued by states or citizens without its permission.

Popular sovereignty: citizens hold ultimate authority through the ballot and even a sovereign government is accountable to citizens.

What is the implication of the "reserved clause" in the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution? (S1.2)

Powers not delegated to the national government, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states and the people.

National government can influence lower levels, but cannot dictate the manner in which state and local governments will operate.

Which of the following is not an implication of the doctrine of separation of powers? (S1.3)

a. Legislature can exercise oversight of executive branch operations and programs.

b. Each branch of government is granted powers that constrain the other two.

c. The judicial branch can declare that laws passed by the legislature and signed by the chief executive are unconstitutional.

d. The president, as chief executive, can issue executive orders that contradict specific legislation.

Answer: D

From where do local governments derive their authority to exist? (S1.4)

a. the state constitution and laws and local charters

b. Article 7 of the U.S. Constitution and state constitutions

c. Article 7 of the U.S. Constitution and local ordinances

d. state statutes and the U.S. Constitution

Answer: A

The U.S. Constitution does not address local level government.

Which of the following is a special-purpose government? (S1.5)

a. Warren County Water Conservation Authority

b. Congressional Research Service

c. Phoenix Department of Arts and Cultural Development

d. Defense Intelligence Agency

Answer: A

b) Component of legislative branch

c) Component of executive branch office

d) Component of executive branch agency

Give an example of a permanent and a temporary commission. (S1.6)

Permanent: Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Temporary: National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (following 9/11)

Which of the following is not a characteristic of government corporations? (S1.7)

a. They usually operate outside the influence of general-purpose governments.

b. They are often formed to conduct fee-based, businesslike functions.

c. They usually have fewer regulations and restrictions than general-purpose entities.

d. Their proliferation can lead to fragmentation in government services.

Answer: A

Government corporations established under general-purpose government authority with a charter for structure/operations.

Over the past decades, what has been the trend in the number of governmental entities? (S1.8)

a. consolidation among general-purpose entities, while special-purpose school districts have increased

b. significant reduction in special-purpose school districts, coupled with increase in other special-purpose districts

c. significant increase in general-purpose governments, with simultaneous reduction in special-purpose districts

d. significant increase in general-purpose governments, as well as special-purpose school districts

Answer: B

General purpose number remains stable

Special purpose schools districts have consolidated (reduced in number)

Special purpose non-school districts experience significant increase

Describe the distinction between policy and administration, as it applies to government. (S1.9)

Executive branch administers programs through policies that were developed by the legislative branch.

Executive branch = policy administration

Legislative branch = policy creation

What is the difference between local charters and local ordinances? (S1.10)

Charter = “constitution” (provides basic authority for local government operations)

Ordinance = local law

What prevents the executive branch from spending whatever it desires on government programs? (S1.11)

Executive branch can only spend what the legislative branch has authorized

How does the judicial branch exercise its power vis-a-vis the legislative and executive branches? (S1.12)

Judicial review for constitutionality and dispute resolution

Identify ways in which tribal councils exercise sovereignty on tribal lands. (S1.13)

Nation-to-nation relationship with US

Determine legal membership criteria for council

Adopt and enforce own civic codes

Establish businesses

Handle public safety organization

Collect licensing and tax revenue

Which of the following statements is not true? (S1.14)

a. Members of a tribal council must pay state income tax on money earned on tribal lands.

b. Members of a tribal council must generally pay federal income tax, though some exemptions apply.

c. A tribal council may levy and collect taxes on activities conducted on tribal (reservation) land.

d. Tribal lands are exempt from local real estate taxes.

Answer: A