Federalism & Nationalism Flashcards

Flashcards on Federalism & Nationalism

Unitary Government

A national polity governed as a single unit, with the central government exercising all or most political authority.

Confederation

A group of independent states or nations that yield some of their powers to a national government, although each state retains a degree of sovereign authority.

Federal System

A system in which power is divided and shared between national and state governments.

Dillon’s Rule

Local governments may only exercise powers expressly granted to it by the state.

Home Rule

States delegate authority to cities, towns, and counties, permitting them to govern themselves.

Diffusion

Federalism gives people more choices.

Delegated Powers

Nineteen powers vested in the national government.

Commerce Clause

Empowers Congress to regulate commerce.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress’s constitutional authority to exercise the necessary and proper powers to carry out its designated functions; implied powers.

Supremacy Clause

National government’s authority prevails over any conflicting state or local government’s claims.

Inherent Powers

Powers not specified or implied by the Constitution but necessary for the President or Congress to fulfil their duties.

Reserved Powers

Constitutional guarantee that the states retain government authority not explicitly granted to national government, as per the Tenth Amendment.

Concurrent Powers

Governmental authority shared by national and state governments.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Constitutional requirement that each state recognize and uphold laws passed by any other state.

Dual Federalism

State and national governments had relatively clear responsibilities, often described as 'layer cake' federalism.

Cooperative Federalism

Active federal government and blurred lines of authority; different government functions swirled together like a 'marble cake'.

Grants-in-aid

Federal funds given to states with specific instructions about how the money could be spent.

Contested Federalism

A system of mingled governing authority marked by high partisan conflict, described as 'super swirl cake federalism'.

New Federalism

Shifts authority from federal to state and local officials.

Block Grants

National government funding to specific policy areas with fewer restrictions.

Progressive Federalism

National government sets program goals and states determine how to achieve them.

Devolution

Transfer of authority from national to state or local government level.

Unfunded Mandates

Obligation imposed on state or local government officials by federal legislation, without sufficient funding support to cover the costs.

Preemption

Invalidation of a U.S. state law that conflicts with a federal law.

Civic Voluntarism

Citizens participate in public life without government incentives or coercion