Unit 1- Constitution And Federalism Flashcards
Pluralism
Political theory that says groups compete for power so none dominates
Elitism
The political theory that dives society along class lines
Majority
Democracy lies on the notion that majority rules
Hyperpluralism
When special interest groups take control and the government serves them
Thomas Jefferson
Wrote the deceleration of independence
Articles of confederation
The first constitution of the USA, VERY VERY WEAK
James Madison
Father of the constitution, federalist papers
New Jersey plan
Called for equal representation in both houses of congress
Constitutional amendments
27 have been made
3 branches of government
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Which philosopher influenced the founding fathers with his ideas on natural law
John Locke
How to amend articles of confederation
All 13 states were needed to amend the articles
Bicameral legislature
Two- house legislature, current system created under the Connecticut compromise (GREAT compromise)
Federalist 10
Explained a republics advantage in dealing with factions, by Madison
Supremacy clause
Article 6 of the constitution states that the federal government is supreme in conflicts with state governments
“Marble cake” cooperative federalism
Predominant government model since the 1930s, makes it jmpossible to seperatley
Institutions that make public policy decisions for a society
Government
Gibbons v Ogden
Supreme Court case that asserted federal power over interstate commerce - over rights to have a ship in NY waters
Concurrent powers
Powers the federal government and states share under federalism
Devolution
Shifting go federal powers and responsibilities to the states since the 90s
Federalism
A government system with powers distributed between a federal government and states
“Layer cake” dual federalism
Powers of state and national government are easily seperated, older model
Unfunded mandate
An order from the federal government requiring states to do something but without providing the funds to do it
Enumerated powers
Article I section 8 of the constitution gives the government it’s enumerated powers, which are the porwers that are expressly states in the constitution
Fiscal federalism
Block grants cross cutting measures and cross over regulations
Inherent powers
Powers of the government that it has simply because it is a government
Federalist
Supporters of the ratification of the constitution, Alexander Hamilton, John jay, James Madison
McCullouch v Maryland
1819 Supreme Court case that affirmed federal supremacy, said Maryland couldn’t tax federal banks
Elastic Clause/ necessary and proper clause
Clause of the constitution that empowers congress to make laws that are not specifically listed
Full faith and credit clause
Clause that holds judicial decrees and contracts of one state are binding in all the others
US v Lopez
Changed decade old pattern of expanding congressional commerce powers - revoked SOME of the federal power by saying the no guns in school zones didn’t count under commerce
Ex post facto laws
Laws that take effect before they’re passed
How to amend the constitution
One way to amend the constitution is that 2/3 are needed to propose and 3/4 to ratify
Reserved powers
Powers reserved to the states
Fiscal federalism
When the government influences state governments by giving money to states in grants or aide
Categorical grants
Congress appropriates funds for specific purposes, states must comply with federal standards if they take the grant money
Block grants
Granted to support general programs, they give states more leeway in spending
Acosiated with devolution
Project grants
Money states apply for by submitting project proposals
Formula grants
Money given to states according to a mathematical formula
Direct orders
State or local governments must act under the threat of criminal or civil penalties
Cross cutting requirements
Conditions of one grant extend to all federally supported activities, requirements imposed in virtually all grants to further national policies
Cross over sanctions
Permit use of federal dollars in one program to influence stages and local policies in another
Partial preemption
Federal law establishes basic policies but requires states to administer them without any funding
Total preemption
National governments power under supremacy and commerce clauses to preempt conflicting state and local governments
