Chapter 3

Question 0

Unitary System

Answer 0

A constitutional arrangement that concentrates power in a central government.

Question 1

Federalism

Answer 1

A constitutional arrangement in which power is distributed between a central government and subdivisions like governments, called states in the United States. The national and the sub divisional governments both exercise direct authority over individuals.

Question 2

Confederation

Answer 2

A constitutional arrangement in which sovereign nations or states, by compact, create a central government but carefully limit its power and do not give it direct authority over individuals.

Question 3

Delegated Powers

Answer 3

Powers given explicitly to the national government and listed in the Constitution.

Question 4

Implied Powers

Answer 4

Powers inferred from the expressed powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.

Question 5

Necessary and Proper Clause

Answer 5

The clause in the Constitution (article 1, section 8, clause 3) setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress, in addition to its expressed powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government.

Question 6

Express powers

Answer 6

Powers that the Constitution specifically grants to one of the branches of the national government.

Question 7

Inherent powers

Answer 7

The powers of the national government and for the fears that the Supreme Court has declared do not depend on constitutional grounds but rather grow out of the very existence of the national government.

Question 8

Commerce clause

Answer 8

The clause in the Constitution article 1, section 8, clause 1, that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations.

Question 9

Federal mandate

Answer 9

Requirement the federal government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds.

Question 10

Reserved powers

Answer 10

All powers not specifically delegated to the national government by the Constitution. The reserve power can be found in the 10th amendment to the constitution.

Question 11

Concurrent powers

Answer 11

Powers that the Constitution gives to both the national and state governments, such as the power to levy taxes.

Question 12

Full faith and credit clause

Answer 12

The clause in the Constitution article 4, section 1, requiring each state to recognize the civil judgments rendered by the courts of the other states into except their public records and acts as valid.

Question 13

Extradition

Answer 13

The legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed.

Question 14

Interstate compact

Answer 14

In agreement among two or more states. Congress must approve most such agreements.

Question 15

National supremacy

Answer 15

The constitutional doctrine that whenever conflict occurs between the constitutionality authorized actions of the national government and those of the state or local government, the actions of the federal government prevail.

Question 16

Preemption

Answer 16

The right of the federal law or regulation to preclude enforcement of the state or local law or regulation.

Question 17

Centralists

Answer 17

People who favor national action over action at the state and local levels.

Question 18

Decentralists

Answer 18

People who favor state or local action rather than national action.

Question 19

States’ rights

Answer 19

Powers expressly or implicitly reserved to the states.

Question 20

Devolution revolution

Answer 20

The effort to slow the growth of the federal government by returning many functions to the states.