Key Concepts of Federalism and Government Powers

Block Grants

a grant from the federal government that a local/state government can allocate to a wide range of services

Categorical Grants

federal grants given to state and local governments to encourage their cooperation in implementing specific purposes and programs.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that the Constitution gives to both the national and state governments

Cooperative Federalism

a type of federalism that allows for both the federal (national) and state (local) governments to work together to achieve common goals for their nation.

Dual Federalism

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.

Elastic Clause

Congress can pass all laws that are 'necessary and proper' to carry out the enumerated powers.

Enumerated Powers

the specific powers explicitly granted to the federal government by the Constitution, powers that are specifically listed in the Constitution

Extradition

States must return a person to other states for criminal trial or imprisonment.

Federalism

organizing a nation into two or more levels of government with formal authority over the same area and people

Fiscal Federalism

Pattern of spending, taxing, and giving grants in the federal system. The system of distributing funds and managing financial relationships between the federal government and state and local governments

Formula Grants

based on a formula with factors, like population and income. Fed pays percentage/states pay percentage.

Full Faith and Credit

a clause in the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 1) that mandates each state to recognize and respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state, essentially requiring states to uphold the legal decisions made in other states.

Implied Powers

powers of the federal government that are not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are considered necessary to carry out the powers that are explicitly listed ie. powers of the federal government that go beyond those enumerated in the Constitution

Inherent Powers

powers held by the government, particularly the executive branch, that are not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are considered necessary for the government to function effectively as a sovereign nation, often relating to foreign affairs and national security

Mandate

Federal orders imposed upon the states. Meant to meet a goal of the federal gov't.

Privileges and Immunities

constitutional provision that prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states

Project Grants

specific projects with competitive applications. (Grant-writing)

Reserved Powers

powers that are not explicitly given to the federal government by the Constitution and are therefore reserved for the state governments

Supremacy Clause

It's found in Article VI of the Constitution. It makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties (made only by the national gov't) supreme over state laws.

Unitary Government

Power comes from the central gov and was too much like British rule