esources (peer-reviewed journal articles, books, etc.) to substantiate your positions. Be sure to cite your sources in-text and on a separate reference sheet (for each answer). The length of your answers will vary but I think each question can be sufficiently addressed in 5-7 pages (10-14 pages overall), double-spaced. The exam answers must be submitted by December 6th.

I have enjoyed working with each of you. Good luck on the exam!

1. A perennial concern in the American political system is the potential federal encroachment on state authority. Recent examples of which might be the “Affordable Care Act” or the “No Child Left Behind Act.” What are mechanisms by which states can respond to any such shift in the federal-state balance? How well do they work in maintaining “proper balance.”

2. Scholars have developed many different models/metaphors/concepts to describe federalism in the United States. Discuss the extent to which these models have moved the subfield forward. Discuss which model you find most persuasive, and discuss whether and why scholars should devote effort to developing models of federalism.

each question should be about five pages and make sure to put the works cited to the questions on a separate page

Answer preview

When the federal government violates the anti-commandeering principle, it presents potential federal encroachment of the state authority.  For instance, the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with a federal mandate on medical insurance creates an imbalance between the federal and state government. States hold that the federal government duties and powers are those defined under the US constitution (National Governors Association, pg 1).  Imposing federal mandates, especially when not funded, is critical in increasing conflict between the state and the federal government. However, in some incidences such as legalizing marijuana, which is illegal under federal law, states have survived preemption.  One solution for the states against the federal government is that the Supreme Court is mandated to uphold the US constitution version of federalism (Keller, pg 45).  The discussion explores the state of federal

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