Constitutional Underpinnings Flashcards

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1
Q

Bicameral legislature

A

Two House Legislature

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2
Q

Block Grant

A

money granted by the federal government to the states for a broad purpose ( e.g., transportation) rather than for
a narrow purpose (e.g., school lunch program).

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3
Q

Categorical Grant

A

money granted by the federal government to the states for a narrow purpose ( e.g., school lunch program)
rather than for a broad purpose (e.g., transportation).

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4
Q

Checks and Balances

A

system in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches, e.g.,
presidential veto of a congressional law.

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5
Q

Commerce Clause

A

gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, with foreign nations, and among Indian tribes. Granted through Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution

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6
Q

Concurrent Powers

A

those held by both Congress and the states, e.g., establishing law enforcement agencies

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7
Q

Confederation

A

system in which sovereign states are only loosely tied to a central government, e.g., Articles of Confederation.

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8
Q

Direct Democracy

A

system in which the people rule themselves.

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9
Q

Elastic Clause

A

states that Congress can exercise those powers that are “necessary and proper” for carrying out the enumerated powers, e.g., establishment of the first Bank of the United States.

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10
Q

Enumerated Powers

A

those that are specifically granted to Congress in Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution, e.g., the power to tax. Also known as expressed powers.

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11
Q

Elite Theory

A

theory that upper class elites exercise great influence over public policy.

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12
Q

Factions

A

term used by Madison to denote what we now call interest groups.

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13
Q

Federalism

A

constitutional sharing of power between a central government and state governments

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14
Q

Dual Federalism

A

system in which the national government and state governments are coequal, with each being dominant within its respective sphere.

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15
Q

Cooperative Federalism

A

system in which both federal government and state governments cooperate in solving problems.

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16
Q

New Federalism

A

system in which the national government restores greater authority back to the states.

17
Q

Federalist Papers

A

group of 85 essays written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay for the purpose of persuading the people of New York to adopt the Constitution.

18
Q

Formal Amendment

A

a change in the actual wording of the Constitution. Proposed by Congress or national convention, and ratified by the states.

19
Q

Implied Powers

A

those that are “necessary and proper” to carry out Congress’ enumerated powers, and are granted to Congress through the elastic clause.

20
Q

Indirect Democracy

A

system in which the people are rule by their representatives. known as representative democracy

21
Q

Inherent Powers

A

foreign policy powers (acquiring territory) held by the national government

22
Q

Informal Amendment

A

a change in the meaning, but not the wording, of the Constitution, through a court decisions

23
Q

Judicial Review

A

power of the courts to rule on the constitutionality of laws and actions. Established by Marbury v. Madison

24
Q

Mandates

A

requirements imposed by the national government upon the states. Some are unfunded mandates, are imposed by the national government, but lack funding.

25
Q

Marbury v. Madison

A

1803: established the power of judicial review

26
Q

McCulloch v. Maryland

A

1819: established principle of national supremacy and validity of implied powers.

27
Q

Popular Sovereignty

A

principle in which ultimate political authority rests with the people.

28
Q

Reserved Powers

A

powers held by the states through the 10th Amendment. Any power not granted to the US government is “reserved” for the states.

29
Q

Separation of Powers

A

principle in which the powers of government are separated among three branches: legislative, executive, judicial.

30
Q

Shay’s Rebellion

A

1786 revolt by Massachusetts farmers seeking relief from debt and foreclosure that was a factor in the calling of the Constitutional Convention.

31
Q

Unicameral Legislature

A

one-house legislature