Chapter 4 Test Review Political Science

Block Grants

Federal funds given to state or local governments for a broad area or general purpose, giving recipients more flexibility in how the money is used.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds given to state or local governments for a specific purpose or program, usually with restrictions on how the money can be spent.

Coercive Federalism

A form of federalism in which the national government uses requirements, regulations, or conditions to influence state and local governments.

Commerce Clause

The constitutional provision giving Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, with foreign nations, and with Native American tribes.

Competitive Grants

Federal grants awarded through a competitive application process, where governments or organizations compete for funding.

Cooperative Federalism

A system in which federal, state, and local governments work together to carry out government programs and policies.

County Governments

Local governments that generally provide services and administer government functions at the county level.

Dual Federalism

A view of federalism in which federal and state governments have separate areas of authority, with limited overlap.

Formula Grants

Federal grants distributed according to a predetermined formula, often based on factors such as population or need.

Grant-in-Aid

Federal money provided to state or local governments to help fund government programs or services.

Home Rule

The authority of a local government to govern itself and make decisions about local matters, within limits established by the state.

Intergovernmental System

The system of relationships and interactions among federal, state, and local governments.

Mandate

A requirement imposed by a higher level of government that requires another government to perform a particular action.

Municipal Governments

Local governments that generally govern cities or towns and provide services to their communities.

Pragmatic Federalism

An approach to federalism that focuses on practical cooperation and problem-solving between different levels of government rather than rigidly separating their responsibilities.

Preemption

The principle that federal law can take priority over or override conflicting state or local laws when federal authority applies.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, generally following changes in population.

Restraint

A limitation placed on government power or action.

School Districts

Local governmental units responsible for operating and administering public schools within a particular geographic area.

Sovereignty

The ultimate authority to govern within a particular territory or political system.

Special Districts

Government entities created to provide specific public services within a defined geographic area.

States' Rights

The idea that states should retain significant authority and power rather than having those powers concentrated in the federal government.

Plural Executive

A system in which executive power is divided among multiple officials rather than being concentrated in a single executive.

Dillon's Rule

The principle that local governments possess only those powers granted to them by the state, either expressly or as necessarily implied.