Government Ch. 3 Quiz Flashcards
Federalism
a “division of powers” between the National and state governments
How many levels of government are there?
“Dual system of government” – 2 levels
What are the “subunits” of the State governments?
Local governments
Major strength of Federalism
allows for local action for local concerns and national action for national concerns!
Delegated powers
powers granted to the national government by the Constitution –
3 Types of delegated powers
Expressed, Implied, Inherent
Expressed powers
spelled out in so many words in the Constitution – 27 powers
Examples: lay and collect taxes, coin money, and declare war etc.
Implied powers
powers reasonably suggested, but not stated in the Constitution
Also known as the “Necessary and proper clause” or “Elastic Clause”
There are thousands of them!
Examples: labor-management relations, building of hydro-electric dams, and the building of the interstate highway system, etc.
Inherent
powers given to the national government because it is a government of a sovereign state - (inherited)
Examples: regulate immigration, to acquire territory, and grant diplomatic recognition, etc.
Powers of the 50 States:
Concurrent and Reserved
Reserved powers (state):
Those powers that the Constitution does not grant to the national government
Examples: establish public schools, licenses, speed limits, police dept, etc.
Concurrent powers (state):
powers that both the states and National Government share
Examples: Lay and collect taxes, setting up courts, and to define crimes/punishments, etc.
Supremacy Clause
resolves conflicts between the two levels of government by setting up a “ladder of laws”
Top rung of ladder of laws:
- United States Constitution
- Acts of Congress/National Laws
- State Constitutions
- State Laws
- City/County laws (local)
The Supreme Court does:
acts as the “umpire” of the Supremacy Clause
Makes rulings and all final decisions
The National governments’ obligations to the States (required) – Article IV
- Guarantee states a republican form of government: (representative)
- Protect states against foreign invasion
Attack from other countries/terrorism, and riots at home and natural disasters - Respect territorial integrity of states: (Recognize states boundaries)
Who handles admitting of new states:
Congress
Procedure to admit a new state:
- The territory petition Congress for admission
- Enabling Act passed – Congress gives the territory permission to set up a state constitution
- Popular vote (people vote)
- Act of Admission - Congress agrees to grant statehood
- President signs into law
Two types of Federalism in our history
Dual federalism and cooperative federalism
Dual Federalism
1788 - 1937
Government power was strictly divided by the states and national government – *National government was very small!
Cooperative Federalism
1937 – today
Established social programs to assist states with regulation – *National Government became very large!
What is cooperative federalism? (3 Programs)
Federal government strongly influences the states:
1. Federal Grants-in-aid
2. FBI assists state and local police
3. Trains the National Guard for the states
4. Takes a Census for the states
Federal Grants-in-Aid:
1800’s it was grants of land to start up schools/colleges and roads
Today consists of grants of money for different programs such as:
Education
Mass Transit
Highway construction
Health care etc.
Provides over $250 Billion dollars of aid per year
Types of Federal Grants:
Categorical Grants, Block Grants, Project Grants
