Explain what is meant by fiscal federalism, and describe how it has strengthened the authority of the federal government.
What will be an ideal response?
Fiscal federalism refers to the expenditure of federal funds on programs run in part through state and local governments. Fiscal federalism has strengthened federal authority by enabling Washington to use federal funds to influence state and local priorities and place restrictions on how state and local governments conduct programs funded with this money. The federal government provides some or all of the money through grants-in-aid (cash payments) to states and localities, which then administer the programs. Categorical grants, a form of grants-in-aid, allow the federal government a lot of influence because they can only be used for specific activities determined by the federal government. With block grants, the federal government specifies the general area in which the funds must be used, but state and local officials select the specific projects.
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During the feudal era in Europe,
a. various levels and ranks of nobility resulted in a system where authority was hierarchical. b. the bipolar system was obviously in place. c. the Holy Roman Emperor (or pope) had little impact on governments. d. the balance-of-power system was evident.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of women voters?
A. Millennial women tend to vote Democratic. B. Women in most age groups are more likely to vote than males. C. Women are less likely than men to favor capital punishment. D. Women are more likely than men to favor Republican candidates. E. Women are more likely than men to identify the treatment of minorities as a very important issue.