Chapter 3 Definitions Flashcards
Supremacy clause
The clause in Article VI of the Constitution that makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws as long as the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.
10th amendment
The constitutional amendment stating, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved
to the states respectively, or to the people.”
McCulloch VS. Maryland
1819 Supreme Court decision that established the supremacy of the national government over state govern-ments. The Court, led by Chief Justice John Marshall, held that Congress had certain implied powers in addition to the powers enumerated in the Constitution.
Enumerated powers
Powers of the federal government that are listed explicitly in the Constitution.
For example, Article I, Section 8, specifically gives Congress the power to coin money and regulate its value and to impose taxes.
implied powers
Powers of the federal government that go beyond those enumerated in the Constitution, in accordance with the statement in the Constitution that Congress has the power to “make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution” the powers enumerated in Article 1.
elastic clause
The final paragraph of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which authorizes Congress to pass all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the enumerated powers.
dual federalism
A system of goverment in which the states and the national government each remain supreme within their own spheres, each with different powers and policy responsibilties.
cooperative federalism
A system of government in which states and the national government share powers and policy assignments.
devolution
Transferring responsibility for policies from the federal government to state and local governments.
fiscal federalism
The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; it is the cornerstone of the national government’s relations with state and local governments.
categorical grants
Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes, or categories, of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondis-crimination provisions.
project grants
Federal categorical grants given for specific purposes and awarded on the basis of the merits of applications.
formula grants
Federal categorical grants distributed according to a formula specified in legislation or in administrative regulations.
block grants
Federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services.
