[AP GOV] - Chapter 3 Vocabulary: Dividing Power Between the National Government and States

Federalism

System that divides power between national and state governments

Unitary systems

system where central government has all power over subnational governments

Confederal systems

system where subnational governments have most of the power

Federal systems

system where power is divided between national and state governments

enumerated/expressed powers

powers explicitly granted to the national government through the consitution

exclusive powers

powers only the national government may exercise

implied powers

powers not specifically granted to national government, but considered necessary to carry out enumerated powers

commerce clause

grants congress the authority to regulate interstate business and commercial activity

necessary and proper clause (Elastic Clause)

Grants the federal government the authority to pass laws required to carry out its enumerated powers

Supremacy Clause

Establishes the Constitution, and laws of the federal government under its authority as the highest laws in the land

Tenth amendment

reserves power not delegated to national government to the states and the people; the basis of federalism

Reserved powers

powers not given to national government, which are retained by the states and people

Concurrent powers

powers granted to both states and federal government in the constitution

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Constitutional clause requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and civil court proceedings from other states

extradition

The requirement that officials in one state return a defendant to another state where a crime was committed

privileges and immunities clause

Constitutional clause that prevents states from discriminating against people from out of state

Thirteenth Amendment

outlawed slavery

Fourteenth Amendment

Provided that people born in the US are citizens and prohibits states from denying people due process or equal protection under the law

fifteenth amendment

African american males granted right to vote

Dual federalism

form of american federalism which states and the nation operate independently in their own areas of public policy

selective incorporation

process through which supreme court applies fundamental rights into bill of rights to the states on a case by case basis

cooperative federalism

form of american federalism in which the states and national government work together to shape public policy

grants-in-aid

federal money provided to states to implement public policy objectives

fiscal federalism

the federal government's use of grants in aid to influence policies in the states

categorial grants

grants in aid provided to states with specific provisions on their use

unfunded mandates

federal requirements that states must follow without being provided with funding

block grants

type of grant in aid that gives state officials more authority in the disbursement of federal funds

revenue sharing

when the federal government apportions tax money to the states with no strings attached

devolution

returning more authority to the states or local governments