Chapter 3 AP Government Notes (pgs 58-81)

Government in America Textbook Chapter 3

Federalism

A way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government share formal authority over the same area and people.

Unitary government

A central government that holds supreme power in a nation.

Intergovernmental relations

The entire set of interactions among national, state, and local governments.

Confederation

A system where the national government is weak, and power is primarily held by the individual states.

Division of Power

The distribution of responsibilities and authority between state and national governments.

Supremacy clause

The clause in Article VI of the Constitution that establishes the Constitution and national laws as supreme over state laws.

Tenth amendment

The constitutional amendment stating that powers not delegated to the United States are reserved to the states or the people.

Enumerated powers

Powers of the federal government that are explicitly listed in the Constitution.

Implied powers

Powers of the federal government that go beyond those explicitly enumerated in the Constitution.

Elastic clause

The section of the Constitution that allows Congress to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.

Full faith and credit clause

A requirement for each state to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Extradition

The legal process of surrendering a person charged with a crime to the state where the crime was committed.

Privileges and immunities

The constitutional provision granting citizens of each state the privileges of citizens in any state they visit.

Dual federalism

A system where state and national governments remain supreme within their own spheres.

Cooperative federalism

A system where state and national governments share powers and responsibilities.

Devolution

The transfer of responsibility for policies from the federal government to state and local governments.

Fiscal federalism

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system.

Categorical grants

Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes or categories of spending.

Block grants

Federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs.

PROS of Federalism

Decentralizes politics, reduces conflict, and allows diversity of policy.

CONS of Federalism

Allows local interests to thwart national majorities, creates confusion for citizens.