Unit 1 - Constitutional Underpinnings

Question 1

Bicameral legislature

Answer 1

two-house legislature

Question 2

Block grant

Answer 2

money granted by the federal government to the states for a broad purpose ( e.g., transportation) rather than for a narrow purpose (e.g., school lunch program)

Question 3

Categorical grant

Answer 3

money granted by the federal government to the states for a narrow purpose ( e.g., school lunch program) rather than for a broad purpose (e.g., transportation)

Question 4

Centralists

Answer 4

those who favor greater national authority rather than state authority

Question 5

Checks and balances

Answer 5

system in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches, e.g., presidential veto of a congressional law

Question 6

Commerce clause

Answer 6

gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, with foreign nations, and among Indian tribes. Granted through Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution

Question 7

Concurrent powers

Answer 7

those held by both Congress and the states, e.g., establishing law enforcement agencies

Question 8

Confederation

Answer 8

system in which sovereign states are only loosely tied to a central government, e.g., the US under the Articles of Confederation

Question 9

Decentralists

Answer 9

those who favor greater state authority rather than national authority

Question 10

Direct democracy

Answer 10

system in which the people rule themselves

Question 11

Elastic clause

Answer 11

states that Congress can exercise those powers that are “necessary and proper” for carrying out the enumerated powers, e.g., establishment of the first Bank of the United States

Question 12

Enumerated powers

Answer 12

those that are specifically granted to Congress in Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution, e.g., the power to tax. Also known as expressed powers

Question 13

Federalism

Answer 13

constitutional sharing of power between a central government and state governments. Different varieties

• Dual federalism
• Cooperative federalism
• New federalism

Question 14

Dual federalism

Answer 14

system in which the national government and state governments are coequal, with each being dominant within its respective sphere

Question 15

Cooperative federalism

Answer 15

system in which both federal government and state governments cooperate in solving problems

Question 16

New Federalism

Answer 16

system in which the national government restores greater authority back to the states

Question 17

Federalist Papers

Answer 17

group of 85 essays written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay for the purpose of persuading the people of New York to adopt the Constitution

Question 18

Formal amendment

Answer 18

a change in the actual wording of the Constitution. Proposed by Congress or national convention, and ratified by the states

Question 19

Implied powers

Answer 19

those that are “necessary and proper” to carry out Congress’ enumerated powers, and are granted to Congress through the elastic clause

Question 20

Indirect democracy

Answer 20

system in which the people are rule by their representatives. Also known as representative democracy, or republic

Question 21

Inherent powers

Answer 21

foreign policy powers (e.g., acquiring territory) held by the national government by virtue of its being a national government

Question 22

Informal amendment

Answer 22

a change in the meaning, but not the wording, of the Constitution, e.g., through a court decisions such as Brown v. Board

Question 23

Judicial review

Answer 23

power of the courts to rule on the constitutionality of laws and government actions. Established by Marbury v. Madison, 1803

Question 24

Mandates

Answer 24

requirements imposed by the national government upon the states. Some are unfunded mandates, i.e., they are imposed by the national government, but lack funding

Question 25

Marbury v. Madison, 1803

Answer 25

established the power of judicial review

Question 26

McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819

Answer 26

established principle of national supremacy and validity of implied powers

Question 27

Police powers

Answer 27

powers of the states to protect the public health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public

Question 28

Popular sovereignty

Answer 28

principle in which ultimate political authority rests with the people

Question 29

Reserved powers

Answer 29

powers held by the states through the 10th Amendment. Any power not granted to the US government is “reserved” for the states

Question 30

Separation of powers

Answer 30

principle in which the powers of government are separated among three branches: legislative, executive, judicial

Question 31

Shays’ Rebellion

Answer 31

1786 revolt by Massachusetts farmers seeking relief from debt and foreclosure that was a factor in the calling of the Constitutional Convention

Question 32

Supermajority

Answer 32

a majority greater than a simple majority of one over half, e.g., 3/5, 2/3

Question 33

Unicameral legislature

Answer 33

one-house legislature