Chapter 3 Flashcards
categorical grants
Federal grants for specific purposes, such as building an airport.
They were narrow so governors complained about it.
conditions of aid
national government demands that states must meet if they want to receive certain federal funds.
Government expects something in return for their control
dual federalism
national government is supreme in its sphere, the states are supreme in theirs, and the two spheres should be kept separate.
Distinguished between interstate and intrastate commerce
federalism
Powers of territorial, regional, state, or municipal governments are shared between the local units and the national government.
grants-in-aid
Money given by the national government to the states
Helped financed education with land grants
initiative
People can vote to put legislative measures directly on the ballot.
mandates
States must meet whether or not they accept federal grants.
Major concerns are civil rights and environmentalism
nullification
A state can void a federal law that, in the state’s opinion, violates the Constitution.
Allowed John C Calhoun revive the doctrine about tariffs in South Carolina
police power
State power to enact laws promoting health, safety, and morals
State government responsibility
Recall
Voters can remove an elected official from office.
referendum
Voters can reject a measure passed by the legislature.
Half of states must agree
Waiver
Other parties can violate a law or rule that would otherwise apply to it.
Education would be easy but not environmentalism.
“necessary and proper” clause
Allows Congress to pass all laws “necessary and proper”, which allows Congress to exercise powers not specifically given by the Constitution.
Marshall used this during McCulloh vs Maryland to determine if congress had right to set up a bank
Confederation
A system of government in which people create state governments which create a national government.
United States use to have this system with the Articles of confederation
Sovereignty
Supreme political authority
Unitary system
Sovereignty is in hands of the national government, so that states and local governments are dependent on it
Federal system
Sovereignty is shared so that at times the national government is more supreme than the state
Interstate commerce
Buying and selling of products across states (Congress could regulate)
Intrastate commerce
Buying and selling of products within a state (state could regulate)
devolution
transfer of power to a lower level
