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Anti-Federalists
Opponents of the U.S. Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.
bicameral legislature
A legislature divided into two houses. The U.S. Congress and all state legislatures except Nebraska’s are bicameral.
block grants
Federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services.
categorical grants
Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes, or categories, of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions.
checks and balances
Features of the Constitution that require each branch of the federal government to obtain the consent of the others for its actions; they limit the power of each branch.
concurrent powers
Powers that are practiced simultaneously by both the federal government and state governments but separately (ex. national and state taxes on a paycheck).
cooperative federalism
A system of government in which states and the national government share powers and policy assignments.
devolution
Transferring responsibility for policies from the federal government to state and local governments.
direct/participatory democracy
A form of democracy in which the people, rather than elected representatives, determine the laws and policies by which they are governed.
dual federalism
A system of government in which the states and the national government each remain supreme within their own spheres, each with different powers and policy responsibilities.
elite democracy
A small group of wealthy people have power in public policy that is geared to their interests.
enumerated powers
Powers of the federal government that are listed explicitly in the Constitution. For example, Article I, Section 8, specifically gives Congress the power to coin money and regulate its value and to impose taxes.
factions
Groups such as interest groups that, according to James Madison, arise from the unequal distribution of property or wealth and have the potential to cause instability in government.
federalism
A way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government share formal authority over the same area and people.
Federalist Papers
A set of 85 essays that advocate ratification of the Constitution and provide insightful commentary on the nature of the new system of government.
Federalists
Supporters of the U.S. Constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption.
Federal Revenue Sharing
fiscal federalism
The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; it is the cornerstone of the national government’s relations with state and local governments.
hyperpluralism
A theory of American democracy contending that interest groups are so strong that government, which gives in to the many different groups, is thereby weakened.
implied powers
Powers of the federal government that go beyond those enumerated in the Constitution, in accordance with the statement in the Constitution that Congress has the power to “make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution” the powers enumerated in Article I.
judicial review
The power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress and those of the executive branch are in accord with the U.S. Constitution. Established by Marbury v. Madison.
limited government
The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.
linkage institutions
The political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s policy agenda. In the United States, these include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.
mandates/unfunded mandates
Federal order imposed upon the states (sometimes with money but not enough or no money). States have to abide by mandates or else the federal government will withhold money from them.
natural rights
Rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property. The concept was central to English philosopher John Locke’s theories about government and was widely accepted among America’s Founders.
participatory democracy
pluralist democracy
police powers
policy agenda
The issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people involved in politics at a point in time.
popular sovereignty
republic
A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws.
reserved powers
separation of powers
A feature of the Constitution that requires the three branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—to be relatively independent of each other so that one cannot control the others. Power is shared among these three institutions.
Shay’s Rebellion
A series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by Revolutionary War captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings.
social contract
supermajority
unicameral legislature
unitary government
A central government that holds supreme power in a nation. Most national governments today are this case.
inherent powers
Any power that logically belongs to the national government, even though they are neither enumerated nor implied.
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