Chapter Three Key Terms

AP GOV

commerce clause

gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations

confederation

A constitutional arrangement in which sovereign nations or states, by compact, create a central government but carefully limit its power and do not give it direct authority over individuals

concurrent powers

powers that are exercised by both the national and state governments, such as the power to levy taxes

Devolution revolution

the effort to slow the growth of the national government by returning many functions to the states

expressed powers

powers given explicitly to the national government and listed in the Constitution; also known as enumerated powers

extradition

the legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed

federal mandate

a requirement the national government imposes

federalism

A constitutional arrangement in which power is distributed between a central government and states, which are sometimes called provinces in other nations. The national and states exercise direct authority over individuals

full faith and credit clause

clause that requires each state to recognize the civil judgements rendered by the courts of other states and to accept their public records and acts as valid

implied powers

powers inferred from the expressed powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions

inherent powers

The Constitution has been interpreted to provide inherent powers that the federal government needs to make and execute the laws. These powers are not listed, but are essential for using the specific powers granted to the national government in other sections of the Constitution

interstate compact

an agreement among two or more states; Congress must approve most such agreements

national supremacy

a constitutional doctrine that whenever conflict occurs between the constitutionally authorized action of the national government and those of a state or local government, the actions of the national government prevail

necessary and proper clause

The clause in the Constitution setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress, in addition to its expressed powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all power the Constitution vests in the national government

reserved powers

all powers not specifically delegated to the national government by the Constitution; the reserved powers are exercised by the states;

states’ rights

powers expressly or implicitly reserved to the states

Supremacy Clause

Article VI; this clause gives national laws the absolute power even when states have enacted a competing law

unitary system

A constitutional arrangement that concentrates power in a central government