POLI CH.4

Question 1

sovereignty

Answer 1

The quality of being supreme in power or authority.

Question 2

federalism

Answer 2

The division of power between a central government and regional governments.

Question 3

dual federalism

Answer 3

A view holding that the Constitution is a compact among sovereign states, so that the powers of the national government and the states are clearly differentiated

Question 4

states’ rights

Answer 4

The idea that all rights not specifically conferred on the national government by the U.S. Constitution are reserved to the states.

Question 5

implied powers

Answer 5

Those powers that Congress needs to execute its enumerated powers.

Question 6

cooperative federalism

Answer 6

A view holding that the Consti tution is an agreement among people who are citizens of both state and nation, so there is much overlap between state powers and national powers

Question 7

elastic clause

Answer 7

The last clause in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which gives Congress the means to execute its enumerated pow ers. This clause is the basis for Congress’s implied powers. Also called the necessary and proper clause

Question 8

commerce clause

Answer 8

The third clause of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states.

Question 9

grant-in-aid

Answer 9

Money provided by one level of government to another level of government, or sometimes to a non-governmental organization, to be spent for a given purpose.

Question 10

categorical grants

Answer 10

Grants-in-aid targeted for a specific purpose by either formula or project.

Question 11

block grants

Answer 11

Grants-in-aid awarded for general purposes, allowing the recipient great discretion in spending the grant money.

Question 12

formula grants

Answer 12

Grants-in-aid distributed according to a particular set of rules, called a formula, that specifies who is eligible for the grants and how much each eligible applicant will receive.

Question 13

competitive grants

Answer 13

Grants-in-aid awarded on the basis of applications submitted by prospective recipients who are eligible to compete for the grant.

Question 14

preemption

Answer 14

The power of Congress to enact laws by which the national government assumes total or partial responsibility for a state government function.

Question 15

mandate

Answer 15

A requirement that a state or local government undertake an activity or provide a service, in keeping with minimum national standards.

Question 16

restraint

Answer 16

A requirement prohibiting a state or local government from exercising a certain power.

Question 17

coercive federalism

Answer 17

A view holding that the national government may impose its policy preferences on the states through regulations in the form of mandates and restraints.

Question 18

redistricting

Answer 18

The process of redrawing boundaries for electoral jurisdictions to reflect changes in population.

Question 19

intergovernmental system

Answer 19

The collection of governments made up of national, state, and local units of government

Question 20

municipal governments

Answer 20

The government units that administer a city or town.

Question 21

county governments

Answer 21

The government units that administer a county.

Question 22

school districts

Answer 22

The government units that administer elementary and secondary schools and programs.

Question 23

special districts

Answer 23

Government units created to perform particular functions, especially when those functions are best performed across jurisdictional boundaries.

Question 24

home rule

Answer 24

The right to enact and enforce legislation locally