Studied by 58 people
Enumerated Powers
Powers given to the federal government alone
Dual Federalism (Layer Cake Federalism)
Separate policy areas for the federal and state government
Block Grant
A grant given to a state by the federal government for broad purposes. Ex: welfare programs, housing programs
Recall
Citizens can vote to remove an official before their term is up
Reserved Powers
State powers, defined in the 10th amendment: Any powers not specifically given to the federal government go to the states
Judicial Review
Supreme Court has the right to rule on the constitutionality of laws; needs to be decided through a court case. Established in the case of Marbury v Madison
Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)
Gives Congress the power to do whatever it deems necessary and constitutional to meet its enumerated obligations; very similar to implied powers
Cooperative Federalism (Marble Cake Federalism)
The state and federal governments share responsibilities for most domestic policy areas; causes gradual strengthening of the federal government at the expense of the states
Project Grant
Federal grants given for individual projects that states compete for (research; implementation of experimental program)
Unfunded Mandate
State required mandates given by the federal government despite the FG not giving the states grants to fund these mandates; Ex: disability accommodations such as ramps
Full Faith & Credit Clause
Requires that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. Ex: birth/death certificates, licenses
Popular Sovereignty
The people give the government its power
Separation of Powers
Judicial, executive, and legislative powers assigned to different persons rather than one person or group controlling everything
Supremacy Clause
Makes the Constitution and federal laws supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.
Confederal System
Government in which local units hold all the power
Devolution/New Federalism
The transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states; Popular with Republicans: Nixon, Reagan
Initiative
Aspect of Federalism where citizens may propose a law
Limited Government
Government has only those powers that the people give it.
Concurrent Powers
Shared powers between the state and federal government
Fiscal Federalism
The federal government's use of grants-in-aid (grants of money and other resources) to influence policies in the state; ex: if you (states) raise the drinking age to 21 we'll (federal gov't) give you money to build roads with
Categorical Grant
Grants used for clearly defined purposes (infrastructure, school lunches, environment/ EPA grants)
Referendum
Citizens can vote on a proposal directly
Implied Powers
The powers of the national government that are suggested by the expressed powers; ex: the Constitution doesn't directly give the federal government the power to create a National bank, but they did
Nullification
Declaration by a state that a federal law is void within its borders.
Note
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