Chapter 3 APUSGOV

Federalism

A system of government where power is shared between a national government and state governments.

Unitary system

A system where all power is held by a central government, and local governments have little power.

Confederal system

A system where power is mainly held by regional governments, and the central government has limited authority.

Federal system

A system where power is divided between a central government and state/local governments (same as federalism).

Enumerated or expressed powers

Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

Exclusive powers

Powers that only the federal government can exercise (e.g., declaring war).

Implied powers

Powers not directly stated in the Constitution but are necessary to carry out enumerated powers

Commerce clause

Part of the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate trade between states and foreign nations.

Necessary and proper clause

Gives Congress the power to make laws that are needed to carry out its other powers

Supremacy clause

States that the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land, taking priority over state laws.

Tenth Amendment

States that powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people.

Reserved powers

Powers that are not given to the federal government or denied to the states, so they are reserved for the states.

Concurrent powers

Powers that both the federal government and state governments can exercise

Full faith and credit clause

Requires states to respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states

Extradition

The process of returning a person accused of a crime to the state where the crime was committed.

Privileges and immunities clause

Ensures that citizens of each state are treated equally in all states.

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude.

Fourteenth Amendment

Grants citizenship and equal protection under the law to all people born or naturalized in the U.S.

Fifteenth Amendment

Gives all men the right to vote, regardless of race or color

Dual federalism

A system where the federal and state governments have separate and distinct powers, like two layers of government.

Selective incorporation

The process by which the Supreme Court applies certain protections in the Bill of Rights to the states.

Cooperative federalism

A system where federal, state, and local governments work together to solve problems.

Grants-in-aid

Money given by the federal government to state or local governments for specific projects or programs.

Fiscal federalism

The financial relationship between the federal government and state or local governments, including grants and funding.

Categorical grants

Federal funds given to state or local governments for specific purposes, with strict rules on how to spend it.

Unfunded mandate

A requirement from the federal government for states or local governments to do something without providing funding for it.

Block grant

Federal money given to state or local governments for general purposes, with fewer restrictions on how it’s spent.

Revenue sharing

The distribution of federal tax revenue to state and local governments for general use

Devolution

The transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to state or local governments