Chapter 3 - Federalism

Question 1

Privileges and immunities clause

Answer 1

Part of article 4 of the Constitution guaranteeing that the citizens of each state are afforded the same rights as citizens of all Other states

Question 2

Dual federalism

Answer 2

The belief that having separate and equally powerful levels of government is the best arrangement

Question 3

Bill of attainder

Answer 3

A law declaring an act illegal without a judicial trial

Question 4

Necessary and proper clause

Answer 4

Found in the final paragraph article 1, section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, he gives Congress the authority to pass all laws needed to carry out the enumerated powers specified in the Constitution

Question 5

Concurrent powers

Answer 5

Powers shared by the national and state governments

Question 6

Block grant

Answer 6

Broad grant with few strings attached given to states by the federal government for specified activities, such as secondary education or health services

Question 7

McCulloch vs. Maryland(1819)

Answer 7

The Supreme Court upheld the power of the national government and denied the right of the state to tax the bank. The Court’s broad interpretation of the necessary and proper clause paved the way for later rulings upholding expansive federal powers

Question 8

Gibbons vs. Ogden (1824)

Answer 8

The Supreme Court upheld broad congressional power over interstate commerce

Question 9

Unitary system

Answer 9

System of government where the local and regional governments derive all authority from a strong national government

Question 10

Cooperative federalism

Answer 10

Term used to characterize the relationship between the national and state governments that began with the New Deal

Question 11

Enumerated powers

Answer 11

17 specific powers granted to Congress under article 1, section 8 of the U.S. Constitution; these powers include taxation, coinage of money, regulation of commerce, and the authority to provide for national defense

Question 12

Interstate compacts

Answer 12

Contract between states that carry the force of law; generally now used as a tool to address multistate policy concerns

Question 13

17th amendment

Answer 13

Made senators directly elected by the people; removed their selection from state legislatures

Question 14

10th amendment

Answer 14

The final part of the Bill of Rights that defines the basic principle of American federalism in 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.”

Question 15

Preemption

Answer 15

The concept derives from the constitutions supremacy clause that allows the national government to override state or local actions in certain areas

Question 16

Unfunded mandates

Answer 16

National laws that direct states or local governments to comply with the Federal rules or regulations (such as clean air or water standards) but contain no federal funding to defray the cost of meeting these requirements

Question 17

Confederation

Answer 17

Type of government in which the national government derives its power from the states; a league of Independent states

Question 18

Categorical grant

Answer 18

Grant for which Congress appropriates funds for specific purpose

Question 19

Ex post facto law

Answer 19

Law passed after the fact, thereby making previously legal activity illegal and subject to current penalty; prohibited by the US Constitution

Question 20

Supremacy clause

Answer 20

Portion of article 4 of the U.S. Constitution that mandates that national law supersedes all other laws passed by the states or by any other subdivision of government

Question 21

16th amendment

Answer 21

Authorized Congress to enact a national income tax

Question 22

Full faith and credit clause

Answer 22

Portion of article 4 of the Constitution that ensures judicial decrees and contracts made in one state will be binding and enforceable and any other state

Question 23

Reserve (or police) Powers

Answer 23

Powers reserved to the states by the 10th amendment that lie at the foundation of the states right to legislate for the public health and welfare of its citizens

Question 24

Federal system

Answer 24

Plan of government created in the US Constitution which power is divided between the national government and the state governments and in which the independent states are bound together under one national government

Question 25

Implied powers

Answer 25

Powers given to the national government through the inference from enumerated powers

Question 26

Sovereign immunity

Answer 26

The right of the state to be free from lawsuit unless it gives permission to the suit. Under the 11th amendment, all states are considered sovereign

Question 27

New federalism

Answer 27

Federal/state relationship proposed by Reagan administration during the 1980s; hallmark is returning administrative powers to the state governments