Chapter 3

federalism

A system that divides power between the national and state government.

unitary system

A system where the central government has all of the power over subnational governments.

confederal system

A system where the
subnational governments
have most of the power.

commerce clause

Grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate business and commercial activity.

necessary and proper
clause

Grants the federal government the authority to pass laws required to carry out its enumerated powers. Also called the elastic clause.

supremacy clause

Establishes the Constitution and the laws of the federal government passed under its authority as the highest laws of the land.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the national government to the states and the people; the basis of federalism.

reserved powers

Powers not given to the national government, which are retained by the states and the people.

concurrent powers

Powers granted to both states and the federal government in the Constitution.

full faith and credit clause

Constitutional clause requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and civil court proceedings from another state.

extradition

The requirement that officials in one state return
a defendant to another state where a crime was
committed.

privileges and immunities
clause

Constitutional clause that prevents states from
discriminating against people from out of state.

Thirteenth Amendment

Constitutional amendment that outlaws slavery.

Fourteenth Amendment

Constitutional amendment that provides that persons born in the United States are citizens and prohibits states from denying persons due process or equal protection under the law.

Fifteenth Amendment

Constitutional amendment that gave African American males the right to vote.

dual federalism

A form of American federalism in which the states and the nation operate independently in their own areas of public policy.

selective incorporation

The process through which the Supreme Court applies fundamental rights in the Bill of Rights to the states on a case-by-case basis.

cooperative federalism

A form of American federalism in which the states and the national government work together to shape public policy.

grants-in-aid

Federal money provided to states to implement public policy objectives.

fiscal federalism

The federal government's use of grants-in-aid to influence policies in the states.

categorical grants

Grants-in-aid provided to states with specific provisions on their use.

unfunded mandate

Federal requirements that states must follow without being provided with funding.

block grant

A type of grant-in-aid that gives state officials more authority in the disbursement of federal funds.

revenue sharing

When the federal government apportions tax money to the states with no strings attached.

devolution

Returning more authority to state or local governments.

federal system

A system where power is divided between the national and state governments.

enumerated or expressed powers

Powers explicitly granted to the national government through the Constitution.

exclusive powers

Powers only the national government may exercise.

implied powers

Powers not granted specifically to the national
government but considered necessary to carry out the enumerated powers.