Federalism and Government Structure

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to federalism, the responsibilities of state and local governments, and the interactions between different levels of government.

Federalism

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

State Government Responsibilities

State governments manage elections, education, health care, banking, and ratification of constitutional amendments.

Dual Federalism

A conceptual framework where the national and state governments operate independently without overlapping powers, often referred to as the layer cake model.

Cooperative Federalism

A model of federalism where national and state governments work together on policy issues, identified as the marble cake model.

Devolution

The process of transferring powers from the federal government back to the state governments.

Detainer Request

A request from federal immigration authorities asking local law enforcement to hold an individual for an additional 48 hours for immigration enforcement.

Sanctuary Cities

Cities that limit their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, impacting how local police departments interact with undocumented immigrants.

Block Grant

A type of grant that allows states flexibility in managing federal funds without specific restrictions or requirements.

Great Depression Impact on Federalism

Highlighted the limitations of dual federalism and led to changes in how state and federal governments interacted.

Tenth Amendment

A provision in the U.S. Constitution that reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states and to the people.