Constitutional Underpinnings Flashcards

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0
Q

Block Grant

A

Money granted by the federal gov’t 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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1
Q

Bicameral Legislature

A

Two house legislature

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2
Q

Categorical Grant

A

Money granted by the federal gov’t 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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3
Q

Centralists

A

Those who favor greater national authority rather than state authority

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4
Q

Checks and Balances

A

System in which each branch of gov’t 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

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

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8
Q

Decentralists

A

Those who favor greater state authority rather than national authority

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9
Q

Direct Democracy

A

System in which people rule themselves

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10
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 US

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11
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. AKA expressed powers

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12
Q

Federalism

A

Constitutional sharing of powers between the central government and state governments. Has three varieties

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13
Q

Dual federalism

A

System in which the national government and state governments are coequal, with each being dominant within its representative sphere

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14
Q

Cooperative federalism

A

System in which both federal government and state government cooperate in solving problems

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15
Q

New federalism

A

System in which the national government restores greater authority back to the states

16
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

17
Q

Formal amendment

A

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

18
Q

Implied Powers

A

Those that are “necessary and proper” to carry out congress’ enumerated powers, and are granted through the elastic clause

19
Q

Indirect Democracy

A

System in which the people are ruled by their representatives. AKA representative democracy, or republic

20
Q

Inherent Powers

A

Foreign policy powers (e.g., acquiring territory) held by the national government by virtue of it’s being a national government

21
Q

Informal amendment

A

A change in the meaning, but not the wording, of the Constitution, e.g., through a court decision such as Brown v. Board

22
Q

Judicial Review

A

Power of the courts to rule on the Constitutionality of laws and government actions. Established by Marbury v. Madison in 1803

23
Q

Marbury v. Madison

A

(1803) established the power of judicial review

24
Q

McCulloch v. Maryland

A

(1819) established principle of national supremacy and validity of implied powers

25
Q

Police powers

A

Powers of the states to protect the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public

26
Q

Popular sovereignty

A

Principle in which ultimate political authority rests with the people

27
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.

28
Q

Separation of powers

A

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

29
Q

Shays Rebellion

A

(1786) revolt by Massachusetts farmers seeking relief from debt and foreclosure that was a factor in the calling of the Constitutional Convention.
- showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, and rises the need for revised government

30
Q

Supermajority

A

A majority greater than a simple majority of one over half. E.g., 3/5, 2/3

31
Q

Unicameral legislature

A

One -house legislature