1C Vocab

Question 1

Federalism

Answer 1

Division of power between a central government and sub-divisional governments, called states in the United States

Question 2

Unitary system

Answer 2

Constitutional arrangement that concentrates power in a central government

Question 3

Confederation

Answer 3

Constitutional arrangement in which sovereign nations or states, by compact, create a central government but carefully limit its power and do not give it direct authority over individuals

Question 4

Exclusive powers

Answer 4

Powers that only the federal government can exercise

Question 5

Expressed powers

Answer 5

Powers that are specifically named in the Constitution (sometimes called delegated powers or enumerated powers)

Question 6

Implied powers

Answer 6

Powers inferred from the expressed powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions

Question 7

Reserved powers

Answer 7

All powers not specifically delegated to the national government by the Constitution. The reserve power can be found in the 10th Amendment to the Constitution.

Question 8

Concurrent powers

Answer 8

Powers that the Constitution gives to both the national and state governments, such as the power to levy taxes

Question 9

Necessary and proper clause

Answer 9

Clause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress, in addition to its express powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government.

Question 10

Inherent powers

Answer 10

The powers of the national government in foreign affairs that the Supreme Court has declared do not depend on constitutional grants but rather grow out of the very existence of the national government

Question 11

Supremacy clause

Answer 11

Clause in the Constitution (Article VI, Clause 2) that gives national laws the absolute power even when states have enacted a competing law

Question 12

Commerce clause

Answer 12

Clause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations

Question 13

Federal mandate

Answer 13

A requirement the federal government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds

Question 14

Federal revenue sharing

Answer 14

Money collected by the federal government (through taxes) that was given to state and local governments

Question 15

Full faith and credit clause

Answer 15

Clause in the Constitution (Article IV, Section 1) requiring each state to recognize the civil judgements rendered by the courts of the other states and to accept their public records and acts as valid

Question 16

Centralists

Answer 16

People who favor national action over state or local action

Question 17

Decentralists

Answer 17

People who favor state or local action over national action

Question 18

Dual (“layer cake”) federalism

Answer 18

State governments and the national government each remain supreme within their own spheres. Powers and policy assignments of the layers of government are distinct.

Question 19

Cooperative (“marble cake”) federalism

Answer 19

Mingling of responsibilities between state governments and the federal government. Sharing powers and policy assignments.

Question 20

Policymaking

Answer 20

The process of formulating politics (creating laws or setting standards)

Question 21

Devolution revolution

Answer 21

The effort to slow the growth of the federal government by returning many functions to the states

Question 22

National supremacy

Answer 22

Constitutional doctrine that whenever conflict occurs between the constitutionally authorized actions of the national government and those of a state or local government, the actions of the federal government will prevail

Question 23

Preemption

Answer 23

The right of a federal law or regulation to preclude enforcement of a state or local law or regulation