POLS 3030 Ch. 1-3 Key Terms

Question 1

Making decisions based on the best research findings available.

Answer 1

Evidence-based Practices

Question 2

The ability of government to respond effectively to change, make decisions efficiently and responsibly, and manage conflict.

Answer 2

Capacity

Question 3

The territorial range of government authority; sometimes used as a synonym for “city” or “town”.

Answer 3

Jurisdiction

Question 4

A system of government in which powers are divided between a central (national) government and regional (state) governments.

Answer 4

Federalism

Question 5

An anticipatory condition, as opposed to a reactive one.

Answer 5

Proactive

Question 6

Money set aside when a state’s finances are healthy for use when state revenues decline. Formally called “budget stabilization funds”.

Answer 6

Rainy Day Funds

Question 7

To reduce the size and cost of something, especially government.

Answer 7

Downsize

Question 8

An environment characterized by stagnant revenues and budget cuts, leading to changes in the provision of public services.

Answer 8

New Normal

Question 9

An effort to change how a state or city is perceived by the public, to create a new image of a place.

Answer 9

Re-Brand

Question 10

A characteristic of a government that is open and understandable, one in which officials are accountable to the public.

Answer 10

Transparency

Question 11

An unofficial region of the US, generally consisting of the South and the West

Answer 11

Sunbelt

Question 12

An unofficial region of the US, generally comprising the Northeast and the Midwest. Labeled rustbelt sometimes used as synonym.

Answer 12

Frostbelt

Question 13

The attitudes, values, and beliefs that people hold toward government.

Answer 13

Political Culture

Question 14

Political conflicts that emerge from deeply held moral values.

Answer 14

Culture Wars

Question 15

One in which all government authority is derived from a central government.

Answer 15

Unitary System

Question 16

A league of sovereign states in which a limited central government exercises few independent powers.

Answer 16

Confederacy

Question 17

A means of dividing the power and functions of government between a central government and a specified number of geographically defined regional jurisdictions.

Answer 17

Federal System

Question 18

Those powers expressly given to the national government, primarily in Article I, Section B, of the Constitution.

Answer 18

Enumerated (Delegated Powers)

Question 19

Those granted by the Constitution to both the national and the state governments.

Answer 19

Concurrent Powers

Question 20

Theory holding that the national government is dominant over the states.

Answer 20

Nation-Centered Federalism

Question 21

Theory holding that the national government represents a voluntary compact or agreement between the states, which retain a dominant position.

Answer 21

State-Centered Federalism

Question 22

Those powers residing with the states by virtue of the Tenth Amendment.

Answer 22

Reserved Powers

Question 23

The amendment to the constitution, ratified in 1791, reserving powers to the states.

Answer 23

Tenth Amendment

Question 24

A theory of federalism that became the foundation for states’ rights arguments.

Answer 24

Compact Theory

Question 25

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes national laws superior to state laws.

Answer 25

National Supremacy Clause

Question 26

Portion of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution that authorizes Congress to enact all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out its responsibilities.

Answer 26

Necessary and Proper Clause

Question 27

Those powers that are not expressly granted by the Constitution but that are inferred from the enumerated powers.

Answer 27

Implied Powers

Question 28

Part of Article I, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution, which gives congress the power to regulate trade with foreign countries and among the states.

Answer 28

Commerce Clause

Question 29

The portion of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution that provides for the general welfare of the United States.

Answer 29

General Welfare Clause

Question 30

Enacted in 1868, this amendment contains citizens rights, due process, and equal protection provisions that states must apply to all citizens.

Answer 30

Fourteenth Amendment

Question 31

Enacted in 1913, this amendment grants the national government the power to levy income taxes.

Answer 31

Sixteenth Amendment

Question 32

The principle that national laws take precedence over state laws.

Answer 32

Federal Pre-Emption

Question 33

Model in which the responsibilities and activities of the national and state governments are separate and distinct.

Answer 33

Dual Federalism

Question 34

A model of federalism that stresses the linkages and joint arrangements among the three levels of government.

Answer 34

Cooperative Federalism

Question 35

A model of cooperative federalism in which many new grants-in-aid, including direct national-local financial arrangements, were made.

Answer 35

Creative Federalism

Question 36

A model that represents a return of powers and responsibilities to the states.

Answer 36

New Federalism

Question 37

The delegating of power and programs from the federal government to state and local governments.

Answer 37

Devolution

Question 38

A form of federalism in which the national government uses regulations, mandates, conditions, preemptions, and other actions to impose national priorities on the states.

Answer 38

Coercive Federalism

Question 39

An intergovernmental transfer of funds or other assets, subject to conditions.

Answer 39

Grant-In-Aid

Question 40

A form of financial aid from one level of government to another to be used for a narrowly defined purpose.

Answer 40

Categorial Grant

Question 41

A form of financial aid from one level of government to another for use in a broad, functional area.

Answer 41

Block Grant

Question 42

A funding mechanism that automatically allocates monies based on conditions in the recipient government.

Answer 42

Formula Grant

Question 43

A competitive funding mechanism that awards monies based on the strength of an applicant government's proposal.

Answer 43

Project Grant

Question 44

A requirement that a state or local government undertake a specific activity or provide a particular service as a condition of funding.

Answer 44

Federal Mandate

Question 45

The basic legal and political document of a state; it prescribes the rules through which government operates.

Answer 45

Fundamental Law

Question 46

The legislature's dominance of the other two branches of government.

Answer 46

Legislative Supremacy

Question 47

An ideal of the structure and contents of a state constitution that emphasizes brevity and broad functions and responsibilities.

Answer 47

Model State Constitution

Question 48

A state constitutional tradition based on detailed provisions and procedure.

Answer 48

Positive-Law Tradition

Question 49

A state constitutional tradition based on basic and enduring principles that reach beyond statutory law.

Answer 49

Higher-Law Tradition

Question 50

An informal means of revising constitutions whereby members of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch apply constitutional principles and law to everyday affairs of governing.

Answer 50

Interpretation

Question 51

The power of the U.S. Supreme Court or state supreme courts to declare unconstitutional actions of the executive and legislative branches, as well as decisions of lower courts.

Answer 51

Judicial Review

Question 52

The formal approval of a constitution or a constitutional amendment by a majority of the voters of a state.

Answer 52

Ratification

Question 53

The most common means of amending a state constitution, wherein the legislature proposes a revision, usually by a two-thirds majority.

Answer 53

Legislative Proposal

Question 54

A proposed law or constitutional amendment that is placed on the ballot by citizen petition.

Answer 54

Initiative

Question 55

A procedure by which the voters of a jurisdiction propose the passage of constitutional amendments, state laws, or local ordinances, bypassing the legislative body.

Answer 55

Direct Initiative

Question 56

Voter initiative proposal must be submitted to the legislature before going on the ballot for voter approval.

Answer 56

Indirect Initiative

Question 57

A assembly of delegates chosen by popular election or appointment by the legislature to revise an existing constitution or to create a new one.

Answer 57

Constitutional Convention

Question 58

A meeting of appointed delegates established to study an existing constitution, or specific provisions, and to recommend proposed changes.

Answer 58

Constitutional Commision