United 2 Vocab (Unbolded Words) Flashcards
Federalism
The national and state government working together in one government system
Federalism Example
Both state and national governments are needed to pass an amendment
Participatory Democracy
Citizens have power to decide on government decisions
Participatory Democracy Example
Referendum allows citizens to directly vote on specific issues or legislation.
Pluralist Democracy
Organized groups compete to influence government decisions, no group dominates.
Pluralist Democracy Importance
Lets diverse groups and people take part in politics, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and preventing too much power in one place
Elite Democracy
Small number of people (Usually the wealthy and educated) are the ones who influence government decisions.
Elite Democracy Example
Electoral College - Citizens are not really voting for the president. They are voting for electors (a small group of people)
Dual Federalism
The belief that having separate and equally powerful levels of government is the best arrangement
Dual Federalism Example
Control over schools is clearly defined as a state power and is separate from any federal level
Cooperative Federalism
The intertwined relationship between national, state, and local governments that began with the New Deal
Cooperative Federalism Example
The US highway system – The national government provides funding while that state governments take care of construction and maintenance
Mandates
When federal government tells a person/group to preform a duty (a command)
Mandate Example
If federal government commanded every state to make wearing masks mandatory, that would be a mandate.
Concurrent Powers
Powers shared by the state and national government
Concurrent Powers Example
Legal drinking age – Federal gov makes drinking age 21, but states choose how it is implemented
Reserved Powers
Powers given only to the states
Reserved Powers Example
States have control over school district borders
Categorical Grants
Grants that appropriate federals funds to states for a specific purpose
Categorical Grants Example
Giving money to states in the form of education grants
Block Grants
A large grant given to a state by the federal government with general spending guidelines
Block Grants Example
CDBG Program supports community development activities like housing and economic development. Local government can determine how to use the funds based on community needs.
Commerce Clause
An enumerated power in the Constitution that states that Congress has the power “to regulate trade among countries, states, and Indian tribes”
Commerce Clause Example
Congress can restrict what is allowed on air crafts