Foundations of U.S. Government & Federalism

Vocabulary flashcards covering foundational concepts, key clauses, landmark compromises, and models of democracy & federalism from the lecture notes.

Devolution

The transfer of power and responsibilities from the federal government to state governments.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Federalist essay warning of the dangers of a powerful central government and advocating for small republics.

The Federalist Papers

Collection of 85 essays written to promote ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Agreement combining the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, creating a bicameral Congress with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Ex Post Facto Law

A law that criminalizes an action retroactively; prohibited by the Constitution.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Constitutional requirement that states honor the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Ratification

Formal approval of a constitution, amendment, or treaty.

Federalist No. 51

James Madison’s essay explaining and defending the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances.

Enumerated (Delegated/Expressed) Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution as belonging to the federal government.

Concurrent Powers

Authorities shared by both the federal and state governments, such as taxing and building roads.

Limited Government

Principle that governmental power is restricted by law and the Constitution.

Popular Sovereignty

Doctrine that political power resides in the people, who give consent to be governed.

Preamble

Introductory statement to the U.S. Constitution outlining its purposes and guiding principles.

Fiscal Federalism

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; cornerstone of federal–state relations.

Block Grants

Federal grants given for broad purposes with few strings attached, allowing state discretion.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

1990 law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requiring reasonable accommodations.

Participatory Democracy

Model of democracy emphasizing broad, direct involvement of citizens in politics and civil society.

Hyperpluralism Theory

Idea that too many competing groups weaken government and lead to policy gridlock.

Unitary System

System in which all governmental power is held by a central authority; subnational units have little independent power.

Natural Rights

Inherent rights, such as life, liberty, and property, not dependent on government.

Declaration of Independence

1776 document asserting the colonies’ separation from Britain and outlining natural-rights philosophy.

U.S. Constitution

Supreme law of the United States establishing the national framework of government.

Federalists

Supporters of the 1787 Constitution who favored a strong national government.

Republic

Form of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Virginia Plan

Proposal at the Constitutional Convention calling for representation in Congress based on state population.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement counting each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

Bill of Attainder

Legislative act declaring a person guilty without a judicial trial; prohibited by the Constitution.

Amendment Process

Procedure in Article V for changing the Constitution, requiring proposal and ratification stages.

Checks and Balances

System allowing each branch of government to limit the powers of the others to prevent tyranny.

Impeachment

Formal accusation of misconduct against a public official; first step in removal from office.

Reserved Powers

Powers not delegated to the federal government and therefore reserved to the states (10th Amendment).

Dual ("Layer Cake") Federalism

Doctrine that federal and state governments have distinct, separate areas of responsibility.

Grants

Federal funds provided to states and localities for specific projects or programs.

Revenue Sharing

Federal program (now ended) that distributed a portion of national tax revenues to states with few restrictions.

10th Amendment

Constitutional amendment stating that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

Pluralist Democracy

Model in which political power is distributed among multiple competing interest groups.

Advantages of Federalism

Encourages policy innovation, increases citizen participation, and allows government responsiveness to local needs.

Confederate System

Government structure in which subnational units retain most power, with a weak central authority.

Social Contract

Philosophical concept of an implicit agreement among individuals to form a government and abide by its rules.

Categorical Grants

Federal grants for specific, narrowly defined purposes, often with stringent conditions.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. constitution (1781-1789) emphasizing state sovereignty and a weak national government.

Shay’s Rebellion

1786-1787 uprising of Massachusetts farmers that exposed weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal at the Constitutional Convention for equal representation of each state in Congress.

Slave Trade Compromise

Agreement allowing Congress to ban the importation of slaves after 1808.

Electoral College

Institution that formally elects the U.S. president, with electors chosen by states.

Supremacy Clause

Constitutional statement that federal law is the "supreme Law of the Land" over state laws.

Separation of Powers

Division of governmental authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress power to regulate trade among states, foreign nations, and tribes.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated but inferred from the Constitution to allow the federal government to function.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Gives Congress authority to pass all laws needed to execute its enumerated powers; basis for implied powers.

Cooperative ("Marble Cake") Federalism

Model where federal, state, and local governments share responsibilities and policymaking.

Mandates

Federal directives that require states to comply with certain rules or provide specific services, sometimes unfunded.

Elite Democracy

Model in which a small number of wealthy or well-educated individuals influence political decision-making.

Disadvantages of Federalism

Can cause policy inconsistency, duplication, and inequalities among states.

Federal System

Government structure in which power is shared between a national government and subnational units.