Studied by 47 peoplefederalism
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.
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