Ch 1 Test Flashcards
Federalism
states delegate power to the federal government, share some, and reserve the rest for themselves
Block grant
large chunks of money given to local governments by the federal government with few strings attached
Categorical grant
chunks of money given by the federal government to state and local governments must comply with or risk losing other federal funds
Federal revenue sharing
during 1972-85, money collected in federal taxes was given to state and local governments
Necessary and proper clause
also known as the “elastic” clause, it state that Congress can exercise those powers that are “ necessary and proper” for carrying out the enumerated powers
Commerce Clause
gives congress the right to regulate interstate commerce
Supremacy clause
states may not make laws that undermine federal law
Linkage institutions
institutions that connect people to their government(Special interest groups, elections, the media, and political parties
Checks and balances
individual powers each branch has to check another branch to balance their overall power
Separation of powers
dividing the jobs each branch has so no branch will become too powerful
Cooperative federalism
the federal government provides grants to states in order to influence them in areas beyond enumerated federal power
Exclusive power
powers belonging to either the states or the federal government
Concurrent powers
powers shared by both the state and federal government
Implied powers
powers open to interpretation
Enumerated powers
powers clearly defined in the Constitution
Project grant
a grant given for a specific project in a sate
Devolution
using block grants to move power out of the hands of the federal government and back to the states
Formula grant
a grant given based on a need formula to any state that qualifies
Mandate
a requirement or an order from the central government that all state and local government must comply with risk of losing other federal funds
Natural rights
natural born rights
life liberty and pursuit of happiness