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unitary system
a system of government in which constitutional authority rests with a national or central government; any regional or local governments are subordinate to the central government
confederal system
a system of government in which member state or regional governments have all authority, and any central government has only the power that state governments choose to delegate to it.
coercive federalism
a relationship between the national government and states in which the former directs the states on policies they must undertake
federal system
a system of government in which governmental power is divided and shared between a national or central government and state or regional governments
delegated powers
those powers that the constitution gives to the national government. these include those enumerated powers found in article I, section 8 of the u.s. constitution as well as a few other powers that have evolved over time.
expressed powers
those powers that are clearly listed in article I, section 8 of the u.s. constitution.
implied powers
those delegated powers that are assumed to exist in order for the federal government to perform the functions that are expressly delegated. these powers are granted by the necessary and proper clause in article I, section 8 of the u.s. constitution
inherent powers
those delegated powers that come with an office or position—generally, the executive branch. although the u.s. constitution does not clearly specify powers granted to the executive branch, over time, inherent powers have evolved as part of the powers needed to perform the functions of the executive branch.
reserved powers
those powers that belong to the states. the legitimacy of these powers comes from the 10th amendment
concurrent powers
those powers shared by the national government and the states.
supremacy clause
states the u.s. constitution, as well as laws and treaties created in accordance with the constitution, supersede state and local laws
10th amendment
section of the constitution that reserves power to the states. "the powers not delegated to the us by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."
commerce clause
an enumerated power in article I, section 8 that gives congress the power to regulate commerce
necessary and proper clause
the last clause in article I, section 8; aka the elastic clause, which was given a very expensive meaning early in the nation's history
dual federalism
the understanding that the federal government and state governments are both sovereign within their sphere of influence.
cooperative federalism
a relationship where "the national government and the states are mutually complementary parts of a single government mechanism all of whose powers are intended to realize the current purposes of government according to their applicability to the problem in hand."
categorical grants
federal aid to state or local governments for specific purposes, granted under restrictive conditions and often requiring matching funds from the receiving government
block grants
federal grants to state or local governments for more generic purposes and with fewer restrictions than categorical grants.
devolution
the attempt to enhance the power of state or local governments, especially by replacing relatively restrictive categorical grants in aid with more block grants
separate but equal doctrine
doctrine that resulted from the supreme court ruling in plessy v. ferguson that legalized segregation.
jim crow laws
state and local laws that mandated racial segregation in almost every aspect of life
pre-clearance
any administrative or legislative change to the rules governing elections in covered states must be submitted for pre-approval to either the us department of justice or the us district court for the district of columbia
unfunded mandates
obligations the federal government imposes on state governments while providing little to no funds to pay for the mandated activities.
political culture
the dominant political values and beliefs of a people.
conservative
a political ideology marked by the belief in a limited role for government in taxation, economic regulation, and providing social services; support traditional values and lifestyles, and are cautious in response to social change.
liberals
a political ideology marked by the advocacy of positive government action to improve the welfare of individuals, government regulation of the economy, support for civil rights, and tolerance for social change.
moralistic culture
a political subculture that views government as a positive force; one that values the individual but functions for the benefit of the general public.
individualistic culture
a political subculture that views government as a practical institution that should further private enterprise but intervene minimally in people's lives.
traditionalistic culture
a political subculture that views government as an institution to maintain the dominant social and religious values.
ranchero culture
a quasi-feudal system whereby a property's owner, or patron, gives workers protection and employment in return for their loyalty and service.
creoles
a descendant of european-spanish (or french) immigrants to the americas.
mestizos
a person of both spanish and native american heritage.
the valley
an area along the texas side of the rio grande river known for its production of citrus fruits.
bicultural
encompassing two cultures.
maquiladoras
mexican factories where u.s. corporations employ inexpensive mexican labor for assembly and piecework.
north american free trade agreement (nafta)
a treaty among canada, mexico, and the u.s. that has helped remove trade barriers.
metroplex
the greater dallas-fort worth metropolitan area.
white primary
the practice of excluding african americans from primary elections in the texas democratic party.
ku klux klan (kkk)
a white supremacist organization.
demographics
population characteristics, such as age, gender, ethnicity, employment, and income, that social scientists use to describe groups in society.
