US Government: Federalism and Constitutional Powers

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering systems of government, constitutional clauses, powers, intergovernmental relations, and supreme court rulings on federalism.

Confederation

A way to organize a nation where power is held mainly by regional governments or the states.

Federal system (Federalism)

A system of government where power is divided and shared between the national (federal) government and the state and local governments.

Unitary system

A system of government where power is held mainly by, or belongs to, the central or national government.

10th Amendment

A constitutional amendment stating that powers not delegated to the federal government or denied to the states are reserved for the states or the people.

Full faith and credit

One of the three general obligations that each state has to every other state under the Constitution.

Privileges and immunities

One of the three constitutional obligations each state owes to citizens of every other state.

Extradition

A general obligation under the Constitution requiring states to return individuals accused of a crime to the state where the crime was committed.

Dual federalism

A system of governance analogous to a layer cake, in which the state and national governments have separate and distinct responsibilities.

Cooperative federalism

A system of governance analogous to a marble cake, where the state and national governments work together, mixing responsibilities, programs, and authority.

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically written in the US Constitution and given to the national government, located in Article 1, Section 8.

Implied powers

National powers that are not directly or specifically stated in the Constitution, but are inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

A clause in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution giving Congress the flexibility to pass all laws necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers.

Prohibited powers

Powers denied to the national government, the states, or both, located in Article 1, Sections 9 and 10 to limit government power and protect civil liberties.

Supremacy Clause

A provision located in Article VI of the Constitution establishing that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties take priority and precedence over state laws.

Reserved powers

Powers not delegated or enumerated to the national government that belong to the states or the people, grounded in the 10th Amendment.

Concurrent powers

Powers that can be exercised by both the state and national governments, independent of one another or at the same time.

Inherent powers

Powers derived from the fact that the United States is a sovereign nation and naturally has certain powers, such as protecting the nation or acquiring new land.

Categorical grants

Federal money provided to state governments restricted to specific categories of expenditures or causes; the most commonly used form of national funding.

Formula grants

A type of categorical grant where federal money is distributed to state governments according to a predetermined formula.

Project grants

A type of categorical grant where federal funds are awarded through competitive applications to states, organizations, or individuals for specific projects.

Block grants

Federal funds given to state governments for broad purposes with minimal restrictions, offering states greater autonomy.

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the national government on state governments.

Unfunded mandate

A requirement by the federal government that states carry out specific actions or policies without being provided federal money to do so.

Revenue sharing

National funding provided to states with almost no restrictions on its use; it is the least commonly used form of funding.

Fiscal federalism

The cornerstone of federal-state relations involving the use of grants, financial incentives, and aid programs to influence state policies and distribute power.

Devolution

The process and 1990s effort of transferring governing powers and responsibilities from the national government back to state governments.

Commerce Clause

A provision in Article 1 of the Constitution giving Congress the authority to regulate the exchange of goods and services in interstate and foreign trade.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

A landmark Supreme Court case establishing that Congress has implied powers to create a national bank and that states cannot tax the federal government, reinforcing the Supremacy Clause.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

A Supreme Court ruling that struck down the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, deciding that the Commerce Clause does not extend to regulating handguns in school zones and preserving state authority over local matters.