Federalism, Constitutional Law & Texas Government - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on federalism, constitutional law, and Texas government.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a national (federal) government and state governments; a evolving compromise rather than a fixed doctrine.

Unitary government

A system in which the central government holds primary authority and subnational units execute those policies.

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution as belonging to Congress.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

The clause that allows Congress to make laws needed to execute enumerated powers, creating implied powers.

Reserved powers

Powers not delegated to the national government belong to the states or the people.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Supreme Court ruling that national government is supreme over the states and can exercise implied powers (e.g., a national bank) when necessary and proper.

Dred Scott v. Sandford

1857 Supreme Court decision holding that African Americans were not citizens and that Congress could not prohibit slavery in new territories, heightening sectional tensions.

Plessy v. Ferguson

1896 Supreme Court decision upholding 'separate but equal' facilities; later overturned by Brown v. Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education

1954 Supreme Court ruling that segregated public schools are inherently unequal and unconstitutional.

Dual federalism

A historical period when national and state governments operated in separate spheres with limited overlap.

Cooperative federalism

A system where national and state governments work together through grants and programs, expanding federal involvement.

Great Society

Lyndon Johnson era of federally funded social welfare programs aimed at reducing poverty and expanding opportunity.

Grants-in-aid (federal grants)

Money provided by the national government to states with conditions and oversight; states administer the programs.

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

1996 welfare reform program imposing time limits and work requirements on cash assistance.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Federal department created after 9/11 to coordinate national security and emergency response; increased federal powers.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Federal health care reform expanding national involvement in health insurance and access to care.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Constitutional requirement that states honor the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Prohibits states from discriminating against citizens of other states in fundamental rights; allows some in-state vs out-of-state distinctions (e.g., tuition).

Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)

1996 law intended to define marriage for federal purposes and allow states to ignore same-sex marriages; struck down by later Supreme Court decisions.

Obergefell v. Hodges

2015 Supreme Court decision recognizing same-sex marriage as a constitutional right nationwide.

Articles of Confederation

Early U.S. constitution with a weak central government, eventually replaced by the current Constitution.

Federalist No. 10

James Madison's essay arguing that a large republic with many factions can prevent the overrun of any single faction through competition and compromise.

Checks and balances

A constitutional design where each branch limits the powers of the others to prevent tyranny; ‘ambition checks ambition.’

Nullification

Theory that states can declare federal laws unconstitutional within their borders; rejected in practice within the U.S. federal structure.

Texas plural executive

Texan system where multiple statewide elected officials share executive power (not just the governor).

Texas Constitution of 1876

Current Texas constitution; lengthier and more detailed, emphasizing limits on government power and local control.