Chapter 3: American Federalism

block grant

a type of grant that comes with less stringent federal administrative conditions and provide recipients more latitude over how to spend grant funds

categorical grant

a federal transfer formulated to limit recipients' discretion in the use of funds and subject them to strict administrative criteria

concurrent powers

powers shared by the national and state governments - taxing, borrowing, and making and enforcing laws

cooperative federalism

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. They may also share costs, administration, and even blame for programs that work poorly.

creeping categorization

a process in which the national government attaches new administrative requirements to block grants or supplants them with new categorical grants

devolution

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states

dual federalism

a style of federalism in which the states and national government exercise exclusive authority in distinctly delineated spheres of jurisdiction, creating a layer-cake view of federalism

elastic clause

Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which allows Congress to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers of the Constitution.

ex post facto law

a law that makes an act criminal although the act was legal when it was committed

federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

full faith and credit clause

Section of Article IV of the Constitution that ensures judicial decrees and contracts made in one state will be binding and enforceable in any other state.

general revenue sharing

a type of federal grant that places minimal restrictions on how state and local governments spend the money

new federalism

a style of federalism premised on the idea that the decentralization of policies enhances administrative efficiency, reduces overall public spending, and improves outcomes

nullification

The doctrine that a state can declare null and void a federal law that, in the state's opinion, violates the Constitution.

privileges and immunities clause

prevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner.

unfunded mandates

Programs that the Federal government requires States to implement without Federal funding.

unitary system

a centralized government system in which lower levels of government have little power independent of the national government

writ of habeas corpus

a petition that enables someone in custody to petition a judge to determine whether that person's detention is legal