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Government and Politics of the USA (A2 Unit 4)
Quick questions on The US Constitution and federalism - WJEC A-Level Government and Politics
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the development of federalism?Show answer
Federalism has changed over time: from dual federalism (states and federal government operating in separate spheres) toward cooperative federalism and a much stronger federal government, especially after the New Deal and through federal grants and Supreme Court rulings. Periods of "new federalism" have sought to return power to the states. Federalism therefore remains a contested balance between the centre and the states.
What is entrenchment in action?Show answer
The difficulty of amending the US Constitution shows what entrenchment means in practice and marks the sharpest contrast with the UK. To change the US Constitution, reformers must win two-thirds of both houses of Congress and the agreement of three-quarters of the states, a bar so high that very few amendments succeed. As a result, much constitutional development happens not through formal amendment but through the Supreme Court reinterpreting the document, for example in expanding federal power or civil rights.
What is q1?Show answer
What is required to amend the US Constitution? [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Give one check the Supreme Court has over the other branches. [1 mark]
What is q3?Show answer
To what extent has the nature of US federalism changed over time? [25 marks]
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