Chapter 2 Flashcards
Unitary
A system of government in which constitutional authority rests a national or central government
Confederal
A system of government in which member state or regional government have all authority, and any central government has only the power that state governments choose to delegate it to
What is an example of modern day confederation?
The European Union
Federal
A system of government in which governmental powers are divided and shared between a national or central government and state or regional government
Delegated Powers
Powers that the constitution gives to the national government
What do delegated powers include?
Enumerated powers found in Article 1 Section 8 of the US Constitution as well as a few other powers that have evolved over time
Expressed Powers
The powers that are clearly expressed in Article 1 Section 8 of the US Constitution
Implied Powers
Delegated powers that are assumed to exist in order to for the federal government to perform the functions that are expressly delegated
Inherent Powers
The powers that usually come with an office or a position - generally the executive branch
Reserved Powers
The powers that belong to the state
Where do the reserved powers come from?
The tenth amendment
Concurrent Powers
Those powers shared by the national government and the states
Supremacy Clause
States that the US Constitution, as well as laws treaties created in accordance with the US Constitution, supersede state and local laws
Tenth Amendment
Section of the US Constitution that reserves powers to the states
Commerce Clause
An enumerated power in Article 1, Section 8 of US Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate commerce
Necessary and Proper Clause
The last clause in Article 1 Section 8 of the US Constitution, also known as the elastic clause
Dual Federalism
The understanding that the federal government and state governments are both sovereign with their sphere of influence
Categorical Grants
Federal aid to state or local government for specific purposes, granted under restrictive conditions and often requiring matching funds from the receiving government
Block Grants
Federal grants to state or local governments for more general purposes and with fewer restrictions than categorical grants
Devolution
The attempt to enhance the power of state or local governments, especially by replacing relatively restrictive categorical grants in aid with more flexible block grants
Separate-but-equal doctrine
Doctrine that resulted from the Supreme Court ruling in Plessy vs. Ferguson legalized segregation
Jim Crow Laws
State and local laws that mandated racial segregation in almost every aspect of life
A system of government that is divided and shared between a national or central government and state or regional governments is utilized by
North America, Mexico, and Canada
What was one critical challenge to writing the Articles of Confederation in 1787?
The creation of a representative government for a large nation with a diverse population
