Chapter 3 Vocab: Federalism: Forging a Nation

Question 1

Sovereignty

Answer 1

The supreme (or ultimate) authority to govern within a certain geographic area.

Question 2

Federalism

Answer 2

A governmental system in which authority is divided between two sovereign levels of government: national and regional. (See also “confederacy”; “unitary system”)

Question 3

Unitary system

Answer 3

A governmental system in which the national government alone has sovereign (or ultimate) authority. (See also “confederacy”; “federalism”)

Question 4

Confederacy

Answer 4

A governmental system in which sovereignty is vested entirely in subnational (state) governments. (See also “federalism’; “unitary system”)

Question 5

Enumerated (expressed) powers

Answer 5

The 17 powers granted to the national government under Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution. These powers include taxation and the regulation of commerce, as well as the authority to provide for the national defense.

Question 6

Supremacy clause

Answer 6

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes national law supreme over state law when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

Question 7

“Necessary and proper” clause

Answer 7

The authority granted Congress in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution “to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper” for the implementation of its enumerated powers. (See also “implied powers.”)

Question 8

Implied powers

Answer 8

The federal government’s constitutional authority (through the “necessary and proper” clause) to take action that is not expressly authorized by the Constitution but that supports actions that are so authorized. (See also “necessary and proper” clause.)

Question 9

Reserved powers

Answer 9

The powers granted to the states under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution.

Question 10

Nationalization

Answer 10

The process by which authority in the American federal system has shifted gradually from the states to the national government.

Question 11

Dual federalism

Answer 11

A doctrine based on the idea that a precise separation of national power and state power is both possible and desirable.

Question 12

Commerce clause

Answer 12

The authority granted Congress in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution “to regulate commerce” among the states.

Question 13

Cooperative federalism

Answer 13

The situation in which the national, state, and local levels work together to solve problems.

Question 14

Fiscal federalism

Answer 14

The expenditure of federal funds on programs run, in part, through states and localities.

Question 15

Grants-in-aid

Answer 15

Federal cash payments to states and localities for programs they administer.

Question 16

Categorical grants

Answer 16

Federal grants-in-aid to states and localities that can be used only for designated projects. (See also “block grants”)

Question 17

Block grants

Answer 17

Federal grants-in-aid that permit state and local officials to decide how the money will be spent within a general area, such as education or health. (See also “categorical grants”)

Question 18

Devolution

Answer 18

The passing down of authority from the national government to the state and local governments.