Federalism

Question 1

block grants

Answer 1

Grants given by the federal government to state and local authorities for general purpose.

Question 2

categorical grants

Answer 2

Grants given by the federal government to state and local authorities for a specific purpose defined in a federal law.

Question 3

confederation (or confederal system)

Answer 3

A form of government in which sovereignty is wholly in the hands of the states and local governments, so the national government is dependent on their will.

Question 4

Cooperative federalism

Answer 4

A form of federalism used in modern times where the federal and state governments work together to solve problems, usually by the feds giving money to states and states executing the programs

Question 5

conditions of aid

Answer 5

A condition which a state government must fulfill for taking federal funds.

Question 6

devolution

Answer 6

The effort on the part of the national government to pass responsibility for functions and responsibilities previously held by the national government on to the state governments.

Question 7

dual federalism

Answer 7

An interpretation of the Constitution which holds that states are as supreme within their sphere of power as is the federal government within its sphere of power. The Supreme Court no longer supports this interpretation.

Question 8

federal system

Answer 8

A form of government in which sovereignty is shared, so that on some matters the national government is supreme and on others the states are supreme.

Question 9

federalism

Answer 9

The division of power between a national government and regional (state) governments.

Question 10

grants-in-aid

Answer 10

Federal funds provided to states and localities.

Question 11

mandates

Answer 11

Requirements imposed against state and local governments to perform. The requirements may have nothing to do with the receipt of federal funds and may originate from court orders.

Question 12

necessary-and-proper clause

Answer 12

The final paragraph of Article 1, section 8, of the Constitution, which authorizes Congress to pass all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the enumerated powers.

Question 13

revenue sharing

Answer 13

A grant-in-aid program that allowed states maximum discretion in the spending of federal funds. States were not required to supply matching funds, and they received money according to a statistical formula. The program was terminated in 1986.

Question 14

Tenth Amendment

Answer 14

An amendment to the Constitution which defines the powers of the states, stipulating that the states (or the people) retain all powers not specifically delegated to the national government by the Constitution.

Question 15

Unfunded mandates

Answer 15

Programs that the federal government requires of the states but which they do not offer funding to the states to carry out

Question 16

unitary system

Answer 16

A system in which sovereignty is wholly in the hands of the national government, so that subnational units are dependent on its will.