Chapter 3 – American Federalism (OpenStax American Government, 3e)

These vocabulary flashcards cover the structural principles, constitutional clauses, historical eras, fiscal tools, and policy debates central to understanding American federalism as presented in the Chapter 3 lecture notes.

Federalism

A system in which two or more levels of government have autonomous authority over the same people and territory.

Unitary System

Governmental structure where virtually all power resides in the national government; subnational units exercise only powers the center grants.

Confederation

A loose alliance of sovereign states in which the central authority is weak and derives its powers from the member states.

Enumerated Powers

Specific powers explicitly granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Article I, Section 8

Constitutional section listing Congress’s enumerated powers, such as taxing, coining money, regulating commerce, and declaring war.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Article I, Section 8, Clause 18; authorizes Congress to make all laws needed to execute its enumerated powers.

Commerce Clause

Portion of Article I, Section 8 giving Congress authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce.

Reserved Powers

Powers not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states; kept by the states under the Tenth Amendment.

Tenth Amendment

Amendment codifying that powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI, Clause 2; declares the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties the supreme law of the land over conflicting state laws.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments, such as taxation and establishing courts.

Sixteenth Amendment

Amendment allowing Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states.

Fiscal Federalism

System in which the federal government uses grants and taxation to influence state and local policy.

Intergovernmental Grants

Federal funds given to state or local governments to pursue nationally defined goals.

Categorical Grant

Federal grant restricted to specific, narrowly defined purposes and subject to detailed requirements.

Block Grant

Federal grant that combines several categorical grants into one and gives states broader spending discretion.

Unfunded Mandate

Federal requirement that forces states or localities to comply without providing sufficient funding.

Dual Federalism

19th-century model in which federal and state governments operated in separate, clearly defined spheres ("layer-cake" federalism).

Cooperative Federalism

Era beginning with the New Deal in which federal and state governments worked together to address problems ("marble-cake" federalism).

Marble-Cake Federalism

Metaphor coined by Morton Grodzins to describe the intertwined relationships of cooperative federalism.

New Federalism

1970s-80s effort, led by Presidents Nixon and Reagan, to return powers and flexibility to states through revenue sharing and block grants.

Nullification

Doctrine asserting a state’s right to invalidate federal laws deemed unconstitutional within its borders.

Judicial Review

Power of courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).

John Marshall

Chief Justice (1801-1835) who broadened national power and established judicial review.

Fourteenth Amendment

Amendment granting citizenship and equal protection; restricts states from denying constitutional rights.

Fifteenth Amendment

Amendment prohibiting denial of the vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Nineteenth Amendment

Amendment granting women the right to vote nationwide.

Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Amendment lowering the voting age in federal and state elections to 18.

Social Security

Federal insurance program providing retirement, disability, and survivor benefits; a major federal expenditure.

Interstate Commerce Commission

First federal regulatory agency (1887) cited in debates over federal attempts to regulate monopolies.

Land-Grant Colleges

State universities created with federal land grants aimed at expanding higher education (Morrill Acts).

Competitive Federalism

Situation where states and federal government pursue different policies on the same issue, leading to conflict.

Coercive Federalism

Form of federalism where the national government uses mandates and regulations to compel state action, often without funds.

Fuel Taxes

Excise taxes on gasoline and diesel; a variable revenue source for states highlighted in comparative charts.

Revenue Sharing

Federal distribution of a portion of its tax income to state and local governments with minimal restrictions (popular in 1970s).

Social Welfare Programs

Government initiatives such as Medicare, Medicaid, and food assistance expanded during cooperative federalism.

Interest Groups

Organizations that attempt to influence public policy; strategize at federal or state levels within the federal structure.

Innovative Policy Laboratory

Role of states in trying new policies that can be models for other states or the national government.

Administrative Overlap

Potential inefficiency or conflict arising from multiple layers of bureaucracy in a federal system.

Competitive Advantages of Federalism

Encourages policy experimentation, closer government to citizens, and balance of power between levels.

Drawbacks of Federalism

Leads to disparities among states in services, education, income, and can create bureaucratic redundancies.