Understanding Federalism

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the system of federalism.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central government and constituent political subunits.

Confederation

A system in which independent states unite to achieve certain specified common aims, with a weak national government that drives power from states.

Unitary System

A system of government where constituent states are subordinated to the central government, and sovereignty rests solely with the central authority.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically delegated to Congress under Article I of the Constitution.

Reserved Powers

Powers that are expressly retained by state governments, not delegated to the national government.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are shared by both the national and state governments.

Implied Powers Doctrine

The powers of the national government that are derived from the enumerated powers through the Necessary and Proper clause.

Supremacy Clause

A clause stating that the national government is supreme in conflicts between state and national law.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A constitutional clause requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.

Laboratories of Democracy

The concept that states can experiment with policies that can be adopted at the federal level based on their results.

Marble Cake Federalism

A model of federalism where powers and responsibilities are intermingled between different levels of government.

Layer Cake Federalism

A model of federalism wherein the national and state governments have separate and distinct powers.

New Deal Programs

A series of programs and policies enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat the Great Depression.

States' Rights

The rights and powers held by individual US states rather than by the federal government.

Dual Federalism

A model of federalism where state governments and the national government operate independently within their own spheres of authority.

Cooperative Federalism

A model of federalism where the national and state governments work together to address complex issues.

Fiscal Disparities

Differences in the financial capabilities of states, leading to unequal funding and resource distribution.