Types of Power of Government in the United States

Inherent Powers

Powers that are held by governments because they are governments. These are powers necessary to fulfill the 4 purposes of government. Examples would include the power to make treaties/agreements with other countries.

Expressed Powers

Powers that are specifically listed in the Constitution as belonging to the national government. These are found in Articles I-III of the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers which are not directly stated in the Constitution, but are inferred from other language, or directly through the necessary and proper clause of the Constitution. An example would be the power to institute the draft in order to raise a military.

Delegated Powers

A way of defining power based on which branch of government holds that power. For example, executive power is given to the President and Vice President. Legislative power is given to the Congress.

Reserved Powers

Power that is not mentioned in the Constitution is understood to belong to the states. It is mentioned in the 10th Amendment to the Constitution specifically using this term.

Denied Powers

Some powers are specifically forbidden to the government in the Constitution. For example, the power to grant titles of nobility.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are held by more than one level of government. For example, the power to tax.

Police Powers

Powers that enable government to write laws, enforce laws and interpret laws. This enables the government to set up three branches of government and give each branch appropriate authority to conduct operations.