Sage Vantage Chp. 2

An association of independent states or governments who maintain their own sovereignty is known as a confederacy.

True

Which of the following characteristics is considered the defining feature of the federal system of government?

Neither level of government is dependent on the other for its power

In a(n) ______ system, legal authority is held by a single central government

Unitary

After Shays’s Rebellion, the Continental Congress authorized a meeting at Philadelphia in 1787, known as the Constitutional Convention, ostensibly to ______.

Rewrite the articles of confederation

Some convention delegates were concerned that a powerful national government would lead to tyranny. Which of the following was created to address these concerns?

Seperated powers and checks and balances

The loose coalition of professional men who called for a stronger central government in the 1780s adopted which name for themselves?

Federalists

One of the advantages of federalism is that it allows the federal government to use a one-size-fits-all approach to policy issues.

False

Which of the following issues can arise from federalism’s increased flexibility and experimentation?

Duplicate efforts and reduced accountability

In comparison to unitary and confederal systems of government, federalism has the most advantages and least disadvantages in terms of governmental authority, separation of powers, and equity for citizens

False

In the United States, the presidential candidate who wins the most popular votes wins the presidency.

False

Which amendment was the first to address the power of states in the U.S. Constitution?

10th Amendment

New Federalism is the process of expanding federal-level programs, grants, and responsibilities in order to provide states with more aid and oversight.

False

Which type of federalism is commonly associated with President Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society program?

Centralized federalism

______ federalism is the term given to the idea that state and federal governments occupy separate areas of authority and responsibility regarding their citizens

Dual

The ratification of the Sixteenth Amendment speed up the movement away from dual federalism.

True

Supreme Court justices ruling along ideological lines is an example of the current era of ad hoc federalism

True

The right of a government to be free from suits brought without its consent is known as ______.

Sovereign immunity

The national supremacy clause, found in Article VI of the Constitution, implies that the states are subordinate to the national government in all matters.

False

The Supreme Court’s rulings following the Great Depression and President Roosevelt’s New Deal signaled a shift to a more nation-centered judicial philosophy, effectively clearing the way for which type of federalism?

Cooperative federalism

Ad hoc federalism

The process of choosing a state-centered or nation-centered view of federalism on the basis of political or partisan convenience.

Bill of rights

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which set limits on the power of the federal government and set out the rights of individuals and the states.

Block Grants

Federal grants-in-aid given for general policy areas that leave states and localities with wide discretion over how to spend the money within the designated policy area.

Categorical Grants

Federal grants-in-aid given for specific programs that leave states and localities with little discretion over how to spend the money.

Centralized federalism

The notion that the federal government should take the leading role in setting national policy, with state and local governments helping implement the policies.

Compact Theory

The idea that the Constitution represents an agreement among sovereign states to form a common government.

Concurrent powers

Powers that both federal and state governments can exercise.

Confederacy

A voluntary association of independent, sovereign states or governments.

Cooperative federalism

The notion that it is impossible for state and national governments to have separate and distinct jurisdictions and that both levels of government must work together.

Crosscutting requirements

Constraints that apply to all federal grants.

Crossover sanctions

Federal requirements mandating that grant recipients pass and enforce certain laws or regulations as a condition of receiving funds.

Dual federalism

The idea that state and federal governments have separate and distinct jurisdictions and responsibilities.

Enumerated powers

Grants of authority explicitly given by the Constitution.

Exclusive powers

Powers given by the Constitution solely to the federal government.

Federalism

A political system in which national and regional governments share powers and are considered independent equals.

Fourteenth Amendment

Constitutional amendment that prohibits states from depriving individuals of the rights and privileges of citizenship and requires states to provide due process and equal protection guarantees.

Full faith and credit clause

Constitutional clause that requires states to recognize each other’s public records and acts as valid.

General revenue sharing grants

Federal grants-in-aid given with few constraints, leaving states and localities almost complete discretion over how to spend the money.

General welfare clause

Constitutional clause that gives Congress an implied power through the authority to provide for the “general welfare.”

Grants-in-aid

Cash appropriations given by the federal government to the states.

Implied powers

Broad, but undefined, powers given to the federal government by the Constitution.

Interstate commerce clause

Constitutional clause that gives Congress the right to regulate interstate commerce. This clause has been broadly interpreted to give Congress a number of implied powers

National supremacy clause

Constitutional clause that states that federal law takes precedence over all other.

Nation-centered federalism

The belief that the nation is the basis of the federal system and that the federal government should take precedence over state governments.

Necessary and proper clause

Constitutional clause that gives Congress an implied power through the right to pass all laws considered “necessary and proper” to carry out the federal government’s responsibilities as defined by the Constitution.

New federalism

The belief that states should receive more power and authority and less money from the federal government.

Nullification

The process of a state’s rejecting a federal law and making it invalid within state borders.

Preemption

The process of the federal government’s overriding areas regulated by state law.

Priveleges and immunities clause

Constitutional clause that prohibits states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

Representative government

A form of government in which citizens exercise power indirectly by choosing representatives to legislate on their behalf.

Secession

The process of a government’s or political jurisdiction’s withdrawal from a political system or alliance.

Sovereign immunity

The right of a government not to be sued without its consent.

State-centered federalism

The belief that states are the basis of the federal system and that state governments should take precedence over the federal government.

States/ rights

The belief that states should be free to make their own decisions with little interference from the federal government.

Tenth Amendment

Constitutional amendment guaranteeing that a broad, but undefined, set of powers be reserved for the states and the people.

Unfunded mandates

Federal laws that direct state action but provide no financial support for that action.

Unitary systems

Nations in which legal authority is held exclusively by a central government.