Federalism Vocab

Unitary Systems

central government has ALL power over state governments

Confederal Systems

state governments have most of the power

Federal Systems

power is distributed between the state and national governments

Enumerated Powers

powers explicitly given to the national government (specifically Congress)

Implied Powers

rights of the federal government that go beyond the specifically expressed powers, since they are considered necessary

Powers Denied

rights that the federal government is prohibited from violating

Commerce Clause

gives Congress authority over interstate commerce meaning they can regulate any productive activity

Necessary and Proper Clause

allows Congress to use their expressed powers

Supremacy Clause

all national laws are the ones to be enforced over state laws

Tenth Amendment

powers that the national government doesn’t have, the state does

Reserved Powers

powers reserved to the states

Concurrent Powers

powers that both governments share

Full Faith and Credit Clause

states have to acknowledge the records and public acts of other states

Extradition

criminals must be returned to their convicted state

Privileges and Immunities Clause

people of one state can’t discriminate against people of another, but they can grant privileges

Thirteenth Amendment

outlaws slavery

Fourteenth Amendment

all people born in the US are citizens, so states must treat them equally

Fifteenth Amendment

African Americans have the right to vote

Dual Federalism

the state and national governments work separately in their own areas

Selective Incorporation

incorporating certain parts of amendments instead of the whole thing, case by case

Cooperative Federalism

the states and national government work together to shape policy

Grants-in-aid

money given to state governments by the federal government for public policy

Fiscal Federalism

the federal government’s use of grants to influence decision

Categorical Grants

grants given to the states with specific provisions

Unfunded Mandates

federal policies that the states must follow, without money

Block Grants

a grant given with a wide range of purposes

Revenue Sharing

federal government provides tax money with no restrictions

Devolution

returns power of federal programs to the states