Chapter 3 Flashcards
Confederal system
A system consisting of a league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign powers. The central government created by such a league has only limited powers over the states.
Unitary system
A centralized government system in which local or subdivisional governments only exercise hose powers given to them by the central government.
Enumerated powers
Powers specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution. The first seventeen clauses of Article 1 Section 8, specify most of the enumerated powers of the national government.
Elastic Clause, or Necessary and Proper Clause
The clause in Article 1 Section 8, that grants Congress the power to do whatever is necessary and proper to execute its specifically delegated powers.
Police Power
The authority to legislate for the protection of the health, morals, safety, and welfare of the people. In the US, most police power is reserved to the states
Concurrent powers
Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.
Supremacy Clause
The constitutional provision that makes the Constitution and federal laws superior to all conflicting state and local laws.
Interstate Compact
An agreement between two or more states. Agreements on minor matter are made without congressional consent, but any compact that tends to increase the power of the contracting states relative to the national government generally requires the consent of Congress. Such compacts serve as a means by which states can solve regional problems.
Commerce Clause
The section of the Constitution in which Congress is given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries.
Dual Federalism
A system in which the states and the national government each remain supreme within their own spheres. The doctrine looks on nation and state as co-equal sovereign powers. Neither the state not the national government should interfere with the other’s sphere.
Cooperative federalism
The theory that the states as the national government should cooperate to solve problems.
Picket-Fence Federalism
A model of federalism in which specific programs(depicted as vertical pickets in a fence) involve all levels of government - national, state, and local(depicted as the horizontal boards of a picket fence.
Categorical Grants
Federal grants to states or local governments that are for specific programs or projects.
Block grants
Federal programs that provide funds to state an locks governments for general functional areas, such as criminal justice, or mental-health programs.
Federal mandates
A requirement in federal legislation that forces states and municipalities to comply with certain rules.
