Federalism and Nationalism: Chapter 4 Vocabulary

UNITARY GOVERNMENT

A national polity governed as a single unit, with the central government exercising most political authority.

DIFFUSION

The spreading of policy ideas from one city or state to others, a process typical of U.S. federalism.

DELEGATED POWERS

National government authority listed explicitly in the constitution.

COMMERCE CLAUSE

The Constitutional declaration (in Article 1, Section 8) empowering Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations, between states, and within Indian tribes.

NECESSARY AND PROPER CLAUSE

The constitutional declaration (in Article 1, Section 8) of Congress’s “necessary and proper” powers to carry out its designated functions.

IMPLIED POWERS

National government powers implied by, but not specifically named in, the Constitution.

SUPREMACY CLAUSE

The constitutional declaration (in Article 6, Section 2) that the national government’s authority prevails over any conflicting state or local government’s claims, provided the power is granted to the federal government.

INHERENT POWERS

Powers neither specified nor implied by the Constitution, but judged necessary for the president or Congress to fulfill their duties.

RESERVED POWERS

The constitutional guarantee (in the Tenth Amendment) that the states retain government authority not explicitly granted to the national government.

CONCURRENT POWERS

Governmental authority shared by national and state governments, such as the power to tax residents.

FULL FAITH AND CREDIT CLAUSE

The constitutional requirement (in Article 4, Section 1) that each state recognizes and upholds laws passed by any other state.

DUAL FEDERALISM

Also called layer cake federalism, the clear division of governing national and state governments.

COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM

Also called marble cake federalism, a system of mingled governing authority, with functions overlapping across national and state governments.

GRANTS

IN

NEW FEDERALISM

An approach to federalism that shifts authority from federal officials to state and local governments.

BLOCK GRANTS

National government funding provided to state and local governments with relatively few restrictions or requirements on spending, Block grant programs introduced a trade

PROGRESSIVE FEDERALISM

Approach that gives state officials considerable leeway in achieving national programs and goals.

UNFUNDED MANDATE

An obligation imposed on state or local government officials by federal legislation without sufficient federal funding support to cover the costs.

DEVOLUTION

The transfer of authority from the national to the state or local government level.

PREEMPTION

The invalidation of a U.S. state law that conflicts with federal law.

CIVIC VOLUNTARISM

Citizen participation in public life without government incentives or coercion (speaking at a town meeting vs. paying taxes for example).