POLS 1101 Ch. 4 Federalism Vocab

sovereignty

The quality of being supreme in power or authority.

dual federalism

A view holding that the Constitution is a compact among sovereign states, such that the powers of the national government and the states are clearly differentiated. Also referred to as 'Layer Cake Federalism'

states' rights

The idea that all rights not specifically conferred on the national government by the U.S. Constitution are reserved to the states.

Layer-Cake Federalism

Citizens cutting into the political system will find clear differences between state and national powers, functions, and responsibilities; a.k.a Dual Federalism

Cooperative federalism

A view holding that the Constitution is an agreement among people who are citizens of both state and nation, so there is much overlap between state powers and national powers. Also referred to as 'Marble-Cake Federalism'

Marble-Cake Federalism

Citizens cutting into the political system at any point will find national and state powers, functions, and responsibilities mixed and mingled; a.k.a Cooperative Federalism

pragmatic federalism

A view of federalism that emphasizes practical, contextual problem solving rather than rigid theory when deciding whether the balance of power should favor the national government or the states.

coercive federalism

A view holding that the national government may impose its policy preferences on the states through regulations in the form of mandates and restraints.

preemption

The power of Congress to enact laws by which the national government assumes total or partial responsibility for a state government function.

mandate

A requirement that a state or local government undertake an activity or provide a service, in keeping with minimum national standards.

restraint

A requirement prohibiting a state or local government from exercising a certain power.

commerce clause

The third clause of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states.

grant-in-aid

Money provided by one level of government to another level of government, or sometimes to a nongovernmental organization, to be spent for a given purpose.

Categorical grants

Grants-in-aid targeted for a specific purpose by either formula or project.

block grants

Grants-in-aid awarded for general purposes, allowing the recipient great discretion in spending the grant money.

Formula grants

Grants-in-aid distributed according to a particular set of rules, called a formula, that specifies who is eligible for the grants and how much each eligible applicant will receive.

Competitive grants

Grants-in-aid awarded on the basis of applications submitted by prospective recipients who are eligible to compete for the grant.

redistricting

The process of redrawing boundaries for electoral or other administrative jurisdictions to reflect changes in population.

intergovernmental system

The collection of governments made up of national, state, and local units of government.

municipal governments

Government units that administer a city or town.

county governments

Government units that administer a county.

special districts

Government units created to perform particular functions, especially when those functions are best performed across jurisdictional boundaries.

School districts

Government units that administer elementary and secondary schools and programs.

home rule

The right to enact and enforce legislation locally.