Chapter 2 Flashcards
Unitary System
governement power is concentrated in a central authority
confederal system
states retain most of the power
delegating only limited powers to a central authority
Federal System
Power is divided between a central government and regional governments
Supremacy Clause
Article VI of the Constitution, which declares federal laws to be the “supreme Law of the Land.”
Necessary and Proper Clause
AKA: “Elastic Clause”
It grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.
Commerce Clause
Grants congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the states
Enumerated (Delegated) Powers
Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.
Implied Powers
Powers not explicitly stated but assumed to exist in order to implement the enumerated powers.
Reserved Powers
Powers that are not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states or the people.
Concurrent Powers
Powers shared by both the federal government and the states, such as the power to tax.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
the state of Maryland passed legislation to impose taxes on the bank. James W. McCulloch, the cashier of the Baltimore branch of the bank, refused to pay the tax
the Court held that Congress had the power to incorporate the bank and that Maryland could not tax instruments of the national government employed in the execution of constitutional powers.
Supremacy clause
Layer-Cake Federalism
A concept of federalism in which the federal and state governments are seen as distinct and separate entities.M
Marble-Cake Federalism
A concept of federalism where federal and state governments are intermingled and share powers and policy responsibilities.
more closely mirrors today’s government
- has since the civil war
States’ Rights
The belief that states have certain powers and autonomy that the federal government cannot encroach upon.
Block Grant
A grant from the federal government that a local authority can allocate to a wide range of services.
