APS 3 Flashcards
Federalism
A political system with multiple levels of government, in which each level has independent authority over some important policy areas.
Confederation
A political system with multiple levels of government, in which lower-level governments retain full sovereignty and cannot be compelled by the national government to act.
Dual Federalism
A political system in which each level of government—national and state—is sovereign in its own sphere of policy authority.
Cooperative federalism
A political system in which both levels of government—national and state—are active in nearly all areas of policy and share sovereign authority.
intergovernmentalism
A system in which multiple levels of government are active in a given policy area.
intergovernmental relations
The relationship between the different levels of government. For example, it may pertain to the struggle between the national government and the states for authority over a specific policy domain, or it may pertain to the coordination of action between the levels in an effort to achieve common goals.
elastic clause
The provision in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution that states that Congress can make whatever laws are “necessary and proper” in order to provide the means to carry out its enumerated powers.
commerce clause
An enumerated power listed in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution that grants Congress the power to “regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes.”
Grants-in-aid
Money that is distributed to lower-level governments with the purpose of funding special projects.
categorical grants
Grants that narrowly define how the funds are to be spent. These grants normally come with conditions that need to be satisfied in order for the money to be used
revenue-sharing
A principle whereby the national government and the lower-level governments cooperate in funding a project.
block grants
Sums of money transferred to lower-level governments such that, as long as the general purpose of the grant is met, the lower-level governments are allowed considerable freedom in deciding how the money is spent.
ballot initiatives
An election in which citizens vote directly on a proposition raised by a group of fellow citizens.
referendums
An election in which citizens vote directly on whether to overturn a bill or a constitutional amendment that has been passed by the legislature.
recall elections
An election during the term of an elected government official in which citizens vote directly on whether to remove the individual from office.
