Unit 3 Government Structures and Economic Policy Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering government structure, federalism, local government roles, and economic policy based on Unit 3 Study Guide standards.

Federalism

The system of shared power between the national and state governments designed to balance unity with independence.

Supremacy Clause

A constitutional provision requiring states to follow federal law, establishing it as the highest law of the land.

Federal Mandates

Requirements issued by the federal government that require states to act, such as implementing ADA ramps or clean water standards.

Grants-in-aid

Funds provided by the federal government to states, which often include specific conditions or "strings attached."

Reserved Powers

Powers kept by the states, including those over education, marriage laws, and licensing.

Dillon’s Rule

The principle that local governments possess only the powers specifically granted to them by the state.

Laboratories of Democracy

The concept that states can experiment with different policies to test their effectiveness while maintaining national priorities.

County Government

A level of local government responsible for maintaining records (birth, death, property deeds), administering elections, and running county courts and jails.

Mayor–Council Government

A municipal system where the mayor serves as the executive branch and the council serves as the legislative branch.

Council–Manager Government

A modern municipal system where an elected council hires a professional manager to oversee daily operations.

Commission Government

A form of local government where elected commissioners head specific departments; this system is less common today.

Special Purpose Governments

Government units created for a single service or function, such as school districts, water/sewer authorities, or transportation authorities.

Monetary Policy

Economic policy managed by the Federal Reserve involving the regulation of interest rates and the money supply.

Fiscal Policy

Economic policy managed by Congress regarding federal taxes and government spending.

Economic Mobility

The ability of individuals to improve their economic status over time, influenced by government choices in education, jobs, and healthcare.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are shared by both the federal and state levels of government.

Local Ordinances

Laws and regulations enacted by local government bodies that are enforced at the community level.

Unfunded Mandates

Federal requirements imposed on state or local governments without providing the necessary funding to implement them.