Federalism Flashcards
Unitary system
A centralized government system in which governmental authority rests in the hands of national, or central, government
Confederal system
A system consisting of a league of independent states, in which the center Al government created by the league has only limited powers over the states
Federal system
Lies between the unitary and confederal forms of government. Authority is divided, usually by a written constitution, between a centeral government and regional, or sub divisional, governments
Arguments against federalism
Some see it as a way for powerful state and local interests to block progress and impede national plans, argumented by James Madison in federalist paper no.10
Enumerated powers
A power specifically granted to the national government by the constitution. The first seventeen clauses of article I, section 8, specify most of the enumerated powers of congress
Elastic clause
The clause in article I, section 8, that grants Congress the power to do whatever is necessary to execute its specifically delegated power
Necessary and proper clause
The clause in article I, section 8, that grants congress the power to do whatever is necessary to execute its specifically delegated powers
Inherent powers
A special category of national powers that is not always implied by the necessary proper clause consists of what have been labeled the inherent powers of the national government
Police power
The authority to legislate for the protection of the health, morals, safety, and welfare of the people. In the United States, most police power is reserved to the states
Prohibited powers
The constitution prohibits of denies a number of powers to the national government
Concurrent powers
Power is held jointly by the national and state government
Supremacy clause
The constitutional provision that makes the constitution and federal laws superior to all conflicting state and local laws
Interstate compacts
An agreement between two or more states. Agreements in minor matters are made without congressional consent, but any compact that tends to increase the power of the contracting states relative to other states if relative to the national government generally requires the consent of congress
Commerce clause
The section of the constitution in which congress is given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries
Dual federalism
A model of federalism in which the states and the national government each remain supreme within their own spheres. The doctrine looks on nation and states as co-equal sovereign powers. Neither the states government nor the national government should interfere in the others spheres
