chapter 3 ap gov

Full faith and credit clause

It requires each state to recognize and honor the public acts, records, and court decisions of other states.

(ex: If you get married in California, your marriage is still valid if you move to Texas. If you are ordered to pay child support in Florida, that order still applies if you move to New York.)

Privileges and immunities clause

States cannot discriminate unreasonably against citizens of other states. People must be given the same "privileges" and "immunities" (basic rights) when they travel or move to another state.

(ex: If you live in Nevada and travel to Arizona, Arizona must treat you the same as its own citizens when it comes to things like buying property, using the courts, or getting a job.)

amendment process

is how the Constitution can be formally changed. It's designed to be difficult so only widely supported ideas become amendments.

supremacy clause

says that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the "supreme law of the land." This means when state law and federal law conflict, federal law wins.

Think: Supremacy = Super law. Federal law is the "super law" that states can't break.

Federal balance of power

how power is divided and shared between the national government and the state governments. It's about keeping a balance so neither level becomes too powerful.

federal system

a system of government where power is divided and shared between a national government and state (or regional) governments. Both levels get authority directly from the Constitution, not from each other.

dual federalism "layer cake" federalism

a system where the national government and state governments have clearly separated powers—like layers of a cake that don't mix. Each level does its own job with little overlap.

cooperative federalism "marble cake" federalism

when the national and state governments share powers and responsibilities. Instead of being separate (like in dual federalism), their roles are mixed—like the swirls in a marble cake.

competitive federalism "pineapple upside down cake"

when state and national governments compete with each other to provide services, set policies, or attract funding. Citizens can "vote with their feet" by moving to states with policies they prefer.

fiscal federalism

system of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system. It's how the national government uses money (grants-in-aid) to influence and control state or local policies.

"Whoever holds the money has the power."

grants-in-aid

money or resources given by the federal government to state or local governments to fund programs and projects. They're the main tool of fiscal federalism and let the national government influence state policy.

incentives

rewards or benefits offered by the government to encourage certain behaviors or policy choices. They're often financial but can also be regulatory.

conditions-of-aid

requirements the federal government attaches to money (grants-in-aid) given to states. If states want the money, they must follow the rules.

revenue sharing

when the federal government gives money directly to state and local governments with no strings attached. States can spend it however they want.

mandates

is a requirement that the federal government imposes on state or local governments. Unlike conditions-of-aid, are not optional—states must follow them, whether or not they get federal money.

waiver

is when the federal government allows a state to break or get around certain federal requirements, usually to try a new approach to a program.

categorical grants

federal funds given to states and local governments for a very specific purpose, with lots of rules and conditions attached. They're the most common type of federal grant.

block grants

federal funds given to states for a broad purpose, with fewer restrictions than categorical grants. States have more freedom to decide how to spend the money within that general area.

devolution

the transfer of power from the national government back to the states. It's part of the effort to give states more control over programs and reduce federal authority.

tenth amendment

any powers not given to the federal government, nor prohibited to the states, belong to the states or the people. It's a constitutional basis for state power.