Federalism Key Terms

Block grant

federal program that provides funds to state and local governments for general functional areas, such as criminal justice or mental health programs

categorical grant

federal grant to states or local governments that is for specific programs or projects

commerce clause

the section of the Constitution in which Congress is given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries

concurrent powers

powers held jointly by the national and state governments

confederal system

a system consisting of a league of independent state, each having sovereign powers, and the central government created by the league has very limited powers over the states

cooperative federalism

the theory that the states and the national government should cooperate in solving problems

devolution

the transfer of powers from a national or central government to a state or local government

dual federalism

a system in which the states and the national government each remains supreme within their own spheres and do not interfere with each other

elastic clause is aka

necessary and proper clause

elastic clause

In Article 1, section 8, that grants Congress the power to do whatever is necessary to execute its specifically delegated powers

extradite

to return an accused or convicted criminal to the jurisdiction of the accusing state

federalism

a system of government in which power is divided by a constitution between a central government and regional/subdivisional governments, and each level has some domain where its policies are dominant and has a constitutional guarantee of its authority

federal mandate

requirement in federal legislation that forces states and municipalities to comply with certain rules

full faith and credit clause

this section of the Constitution requires states to recognize one another’s laws and court decisions. It ensures rights established under deeds, wills, contracts, and other civil matters in one state will be honored by other states

horizontal control

a check against the expansion of government power that relies on checks and balances between branches of government on the same level

interstate compact

An agreement between two or more states. Does not require congressional consent unless it increases the power of the contracting states relative to other states or national government

new judicial federalism

the increased reliance of state courts of last resort on state constitutions rather than on the federal Constitution for the protection of individual rights

police power

the authority to legislate for the protection of the health, morals, safety, and welfare of the people. Mostly reserved to states.

priviledges and immunities

special rights and exceptions provided by law. States may not discriminate against one another’s citizens

supremacy clause

the constitutional provision that makes the Constitution and federal laws superior to all conflicting state and local laws

unitary system

a centralized government in which local or subdivisional governments exercise only those powers given to them by the central government

vertical control

a structural check against the accumulation of too much power in any one level of government