Chapter 3: Federalism

probably need to review this one the most

Federalism

The division of power across the local, state, and national governments

Sovereign power

The supreme power of an independent state to regulate its internal affairs without foreign interference

Exclusive powers

Policy-making responsibilities that are exercised only by the national government.

Police powers

Responsibilities that include the power to enforce laws and provide for public safety

Concurrent powers

Responsibilities for particular policy areas, such as transportation, that are shared by federal, state, and local governments

Unitary government

A system in which the national, centralized government holds ultimate authority. It is the most common form of government in the world

Confederal government

A form of government in which states hold power over a limited national government

Full faith and credit clause

The part of Article IV of the Constitution requiring that each state’s laws be honored by the other states. For example, a legal marriage in one state must be recognized across state lines

Privileges and immunities clause

The part of Article IV of the Constitution requiring that states must treat nonstate residents within their borders as they would treat their own residents. This was meant to promote commerce and travel between states

Dual federalism

The form of federalism favored by Chief Justice Roger Taney, in which national and state governments are seen as distinct entities providing separate services. This model limits the power of the national government; “layered cake” “cake and cupcakes” model(s)

States’ rights

The idea that states are entitled to a certain amount of self-government, free of federal government intervention. This became a central issue in the period leading up to the Civil War

Cooperative federalism

A form of federalism in which national and state governments work together to provide services efficiently. This form emerged in the late 1930s, representing a profound shift toward less concrete boundaries of responsibility in national–state relations; “swirly cake” model

Picket fence federalism

A more refined and realistic form of cooperative federalism in which policy makers within a particular policy area work together across the levels of government

Fiscal federalism

A form of federalism in which federal funds are allocated to the lower levels of government through transfer payments or grants

Coercive federalism

A form of federalism in which the federal government pressures the states to change their policies by using regulations, mandates, or conditions (often involving threats to withdraw federal funding)

Federal preemption

Imposition of national priorities on the states through national legislation that is based on the Constitution’s supremacy clause

Unfunded mandates

Federal laws that require the states to do certain things but do not provide state governments with funding to implement these policies.

Block grants

Federal aid provided to a state government to be spent within a certain policy area but that the state can decide how to spend within that area

Categorical grants

Federal aid to state or local governments that is provided for a specific purpose, such as a mass-transit program within the transportation budget or a school lunch program within the education budget

Competative federalism

A form of federalism in which states compete to attract businesses and jobs through the policies they adopt; “race to the bottom”

Remedial legislation

National laws that address discriminatory state laws. Authority for such legislation comes from Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment.