Unit 1 Vocabulary

Block Grant

Money granted by the federal government to the states for a broad purpose (ex. transportation) rather than for a narrow purpose (ex. school lunch program).

Categorical Grant

Money granted by the federal government to the states for a narrow purpose (ex. school lunch program) rather than for a broad purpose (ex. transportation).

Centralists

Those who favor greater national authority rather than state authority.

Checks & Balances

System in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches (ex. presidential veto of a congressional law).

Commerce Clause

Gives congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, with foreign nations, and among Native American tribes.

Granted through Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution

Concurrent Powers

Powers held by both Congress and the states (ex. establishing law enforcement agencies)

Confederation System

A system in which sovereign states are only loosely tied to a central government (ex. the U.S. under the Articles of Confederation).

Decentralists

Those who favor greater state authority rather than national authority

Direct Democracy

A system in which the people rule themselves

Elastic Clause

States that Congress can exercise those powers that are “necessary and proper” for carrying out the enumerated powers (ex. establishment of the first Bank of the United States).

Enumerated Powers

Powers that are specifically granted to Congress in Article 1, Section 8 of the constitution (ex. the power to tax).

AKA Expressed powers

Federalism

Constitutional sharing of power between a central government and state governments. Different Varieties: Dual Federalism, Cooperative Federalism, New Federalism.

Dual Federalism

System in which the national government and state governments are coequal, with each being dominant within its respective sphere.

Cooperative Federalism

System in which both federal and state governments cooperate in solving problems.

New Federalism

System in which the national government restores greater authority back to the states

Federalist Papers

Group of 85 essays written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay for the purpose of persuading the people of New York to adopt the constitution

Formal Amendment

A change in the actual wording of the Constitution. Proposed by Congress or national convention, and ratified by the states.

Implied powers

Those that are “necessary and proper” to carry out Congress’s enumerated powers, and are granted to Congress through the elastic clause.

Indirect democracy

A system in which the people are ruled by their representatives. Also known as a representative democracy, or republic

Inherent Powers

Foreign policy powers (ex. acquiring territory) held by the national government by virtue of its being a national government.

Informal Amendment

A change in the meaning, but not the wording, of the constitution (ex. through court decisions such as Brown v. Board)

Judicial Review

Power of the courts to rule on the constitutionality of laws and government actions.

Established by Marbury v. Madison, 1803

Marbury v. Madison

1803; Established the power of judicial review

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the national government upon the states

Unfunded Mandates

Mandates imposed by the national government, but lack funding

McCulloch v. Maryland

1819; Established the principle of national supremacy and validity of implied powers

Police Powers

Powers of the states to protect the public health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle in which ultimate political authority rests with the people

Reserved Powers

Powers held by the states through the 10th Amendment. Any power not granted to the U.S. Government is “reserved” for the states.

Separation of powers

Principle in which the powers of government are separated among three branches: legislative, executive, judicial

Shay’s Rebellion

1786 revolt by Massachusetts farmers seeking relief from debt and foreclosure that was a factor in the calling of the Constitutional Convention

Supermajority

A majority greater than a simple majority of ½ (ex. 3/5 or 2/3)

Unicameral Legislature

One-house legislature