AMSCO AP Government and Politics: Chapter 2 Federalism

federalism

The sharing of power between a central government and equally sovereign regional governments

unitary governments

Those with a single governing authority in a central capital with uniform law throughout the land

full faith and credit clause

States must regard and honor one another's governments and laws

privileges and immunities clause

Citizens of each state shall be entitled to all rights of citizens in the other states

extradition

Obligates states to deliver captured fugitive criminals back to the state where they committed the original crime

police powers

Powers to create and force laws on health, safety, and morals

Tenth Amendment

Granted any powers not specifically enumerated to the federal government to be "reserved" to the states

delegated powers

Powers the states have delegated to the federal government

reserved powers

Powers not specifically listed in the Constitution and thus set aside for the states

concurrent powers

Powers held by both national and state authorities

strict constructionist

One who believes in following the Constitution to the letter

Whiskey Rebellion

Controversy after a federal tax offended whiskey makers and caused concern about growing federal power over the states

compact theory

By creating a federal government, the 13 states entered a contract about its jurisdiction

nullification

States can declare a law void if they feel it violates the Constitution (Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions)

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Ruled that states cannot tax the federal government and that federal government can create a national bank thus strengthening the supremacy and necessary and proper clauses

implied powers

Powers not specifically listed in the Constitution (derived from elastic clause)

dual federalism

Federal and state government have clearly defined powers such as in a "layer-cake"

selective exclusiveness

A doctrine asserting that when a commodity requires national rule, Congress is the only one who can regulate it

revenue sharing

The distribution of a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments

cooperative federalism

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government such as in a "marble-cake." They may also share costs, administration, and even blame for programs that work poorly

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

grants-in-aid

Money given from the national government to the states

categorical grants

Federal grants that can only be used for specific things and often come with strings attached (drinking age)

strings

Specific requirements of grants

block grants

Federal grants that can be used for pretty much anything

marble cake federalism

A form of federalism in which there is mixing of powers, resources, and programs between the state and federal governments

New Federalism

Political philosophy of a return of powers to state and local government

mandates

An official order to do something coming from the federal government (Congress)

Clean Air Act (1970)

U.S. federal law to control air pollution on a national level

Americans with Disabilities Act

Congressional mandate requiring states to make public sector buildings and transportation systems accessible for the disabled

devolution

Surrender of powers from federal to state and local governments

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Supreme Court rules that Congress cannot control where guns are allowed thus providing the first limitation of the Commerce Clause in modern times

No Child Left Behind Act (2002)

Act of Congress which reauthorized the Elementary & Secondary Education Act by calling for "highly qualified" teachers and holding schools accountable based on test scores

conditions of aid/strings

Federal rules attached to the grants that states receive. States must agree to abide by these rules in order to receive the grants.

federal income tax

A payroll deduction collected by employers by law and sent to the federal government to support governmental programs.

commerce clause

The section of the Constitution in which Congress is given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries.