3 - Ch 3 Ap GoPo Key Terms (w/out Amendments)

Federalism/Federal System

a system that divides power between the national and state governments

Unitary System

a system where the central government has all of the power over subnational governments

Confederal System

a system where the subnational governments have most of the power

Expressed or Enumerated Powers

powers explicitly granted to the national government through the Constitution.

Exclusive Powers

Powers only the national government may exercise

Implied Powers

powers not granted specifically to the national government, but implied from the necessary and proper clause to carry out the enumerated powers.

Due Process Clause

clause in the 14th Amendment that restricts state governments from denying persons their life, liberty, or property without legal safeguards.

Equal Protection Clause

clause found in the 14th Amendment tha requires states to treat alike with regard to application of the laws.

Commerce Clause

clause that grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate business and commercial activity

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

clause that grants the federal government the authority to pass laws required to carry out its enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

clause that establishes the Constitution and the laws of the federal government passed under its authority as the the highest laws of the land.

Reserved Powers

powers not given to the national government, which are retained by the states and the people

Concurrent Powers

powers granted to both states and the federal government in the Constitution

Full Faith and Credit Clause

constitutional clause requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and civil court proceedings of another state

Extradition

the requirement that officials in one state return a defendant to another state where the defendent allegedly has committed a crime.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

constitutional clause that prevents states from discriminating against people from out of state.

Selective Incorporation

the process through which the Supreme Court applies fundamental rights in the Bill of Rights to the states on a case-by-case basis

Grants-in-Aid

federal money provided to states to implement public policy objectives

Categorical Grants

national funding to the states where spending in specifially restricted to certain categories.

Mandate

federal requirement the states must follow

Block Grant

a type of grant preferred by states that gives state officials more authority over how federal funds are spent.

Revenue Sharing

when the federal government apportions tax money to the states with no strings attached.