federalism vocab

10th amendment

The constitutional amendment that reserves powers to the states. It states that everything not delegated to the federal government or denied to the states is reserved to the states.

Block Grants

Federal money given to states for a broader purpose (e.g., "education" instead of "new school construction"), which gives states more discretion in how the funds are used.

Categorical Grants

Federal money given to states for a specific purpose determined by Congress. These grants make up about 90% of all federal aid to states and often include conditions of aid.

Commerce Clause

A clause in Article 1, Section 8 that gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce (commerce "among the several States"). Its interpretation has changed over time, greatly expanding federal power.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that both the federal and state governments possess and can exercise separately, such as the power to tax, borrow money, make laws, and build roads.

Devolution

The political effort to return power and responsibility from the federal government to the states.

Dual Federalism

A system of federalism, dominant for the first ~140 years of U.S. history, where federal and state powers are clearly defined and separate, with no overlap. It is often described using the "layer cake" analogy.

Delegated Powers

Powers given, or "delegated," by the states to the federal government in the Constitution. These are often called exclusive or enumerated powers and include declaring war and coining money.

Enumerated (expressed) Powers

Powers of the federal government that are directly stated in the Constitution, such as the power to collect taxes and raise an army. Also known as expressed or explicit powers.

Cooperative Federalism

A system of federalism, dominant since the New Deal, where federal and state powers are intertwined and responsibilities are shared. It is often described using the "marble cake" analogy.

Federalism

The division of power between federal, state, and local governments, establishing a system of shared sovereignty.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

A Supreme Court case that held that only Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce, invalidating a New York state law that granted a monopoly on steamboat operation. The Court's opinion defined commerce broadly to include navigation.

Mandates

Specific rules issued by the federal government that states must comply with, regardless of whether they receive federal funding. An unfunded mandate requires states to pay for the implementation of the rule themselves.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819

A landmark Supreme Court case that affirmed the implied powers of Congress and the supremacy of the federal government. The Court ruled that Congress could create a national bank (via the Necessary and Proper Clause) and that states could not tax the federal government (via the Supremacy Clause).

Necessary and Proper Clause

The final clause of Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, which grants Congress the power to make all laws "necessary and proper" for executing its foregoing (enumerated) powers. It is the basis for implied powers. Also known as the Elastic Clause.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in Article VI of the Constitution that establishes the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the "supreme law of the land." It dictates that in a conflict between federal and state law, federal law is superior.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

A Supreme Court case that struck down the Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act, ruling that the possession of a gun in a school zone does not substantially affect interstate commerce. The case established a limit on Congress's power under the Commerce Clause for the first time in over 50 years.

states rights

the political powers reserved for state governments rather than the federal government,

unitary system of govt

a form of government where power is concentrated in a single, central authority, with little or no power delegated to regional or local governments