HCC CH 02: Texas in the Federal System

Confederal system 邦联体制

A system of government in which member states or regional governments have all authority, and any central government has only the power that state governments choose to delegate to it.

Unitary system 单一制

A system of government in which constitutional authority rests with a national or central government; all regional or local governments are subordinate to the central government.

Delegated powers 授权

Those powers that the Constitution gives to the national government. These include those enumerated powers found in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution as well as a few other powers that have evolved over time.

Federal system 联邦制

A system of government in which governmental power is divided and shared between a national or central government and state or regional governments.

Expressed powers 明示的权力

Those powers that are clearly listed in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Implied powers 默示权力

Those delegated powers that are assumed to exist in order for the federal government to perform the functions that are expressly delegated. These powers are granted by the necessary and proper clause in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Inherent powers 固有权力

Those delegated powers that come with an office or position—generally, the executive branch. Although the U.S. Constitution does not clearly specify powers granted to the executive branch, over time, inherent powers have evolved as part of the powers needed to perform the functions of the executive branch.

supremacy clause 至上条款

The clause that states that the U.S. Constitution, as well as laws and treaties created in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, supersedes or preempts state and local laws.

concurrent powers 共同权力

Those powers shared by the national government and the states.

reserved powers 保留权力

Those powers that belong to the states. The legitimacy of these powers comes from the Tenth Amendment.

Tenth Amendment 第十修正案

Section of the U.S. Constitution that reserves powers to the states. It reads as follows: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

cooperative federalism 合作联邦制

A relationship where “the National Government and the States are mutually complementary parts of a single government mechanism all of whose powers are intended to realize the current purposes of government according to their applicability to the problem in hand.”

commerce clause 商业条款

An enumerated power in Article I, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate commerce between the states.

necessary and proper clause 必要及适当条款

The last clause in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution; also known as the elastic clause, which was given a very expansive meaning early in the nation’s history.

dual federalism 双重联邦制

The understanding that the federal government and state governments are both sovereign within their sphere of influence.

categorical grants 专项拨款

Federal aid to state or local governments for specific purposes, granted under restrictive conditions and often requiring matching funds from the receiving government.

separate but equal doctrine 隔离但平等原则

Doctrine that resulted from the Supreme Court ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson that legalized segregation.

devolution 权力下放

The attempt to enhance the power of state or local governments, especially by replacing relatively restrictive categorical grants-in-aid with more flexible block grants.

block grants 整笔拨款

Federal grants to state or local governments for more general purposes and with fewer restrictions than categorical grants.

Jim Crow laws 吉姆·克劳法

State and local laws that mandated racial segregation in almost every aspect of life.

unfunded mandates 无资金支持的任务

Obligations the federal government imposes on state governments while providing little to no funds to pay for the mandated activities.

coercive federalism 强制联邦主义

A relationship between the national government and states in which the former directs the states on policies they must undertake.

preclearance 预先清关

Any administrative or legislative change to the rules governing elections in covered states must be submitted for preapproval to either the U.S. Department of Justice or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

interstate commerce 州际贸易

The power of the national government to regulate economic activity across state lines.

dual sovereignty 双重主权

The principle of federalism that allows both the national government and the states to adopt certain criminal laws and a single act may be prosecuted by either the national government or the state or both.