United 2 Vocab (Unbolded Words)

Question 1

Federalism

Answer 1

The national and state government working together in one government system

Question 2

Federalism Example

Answer 2

Both state and national governments are needed to pass an amendment

Question 3

Participatory Democracy

Answer 3

Citizens have power to decide on government decisions

Question 4

Participatory Democracy Example

Answer 4

Referendum allows citizens to directly vote on specific issues or legislation.

Question 5

Pluralist Democracy

Answer 5

Organized groups compete to influence government decisions, no group dominates.

Question 6

Pluralist Democracy Importance

Answer 6

Lets diverse groups and people take part in politics, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and preventing too much power in one place

Question 7

Elite Democracy

Answer 7

Small number of people (Usually the wealthy and educated) are the ones who influence government decisions.

Question 8

Elite Democracy Example

Answer 8

Electoral College - Citizens are not really voting for the president. They are voting for electors (a small group of people)

Question 9

Dual Federalism

Answer 9

The belief that having separate and equally powerful levels of government is the best arrangement

Question 10

Dual Federalism Example

Answer 10

Control over schools is clearly defined as a state power and is separate from any federal level

Question 11

Cooperative Federalism

Answer 11

The intertwined relationship between national, state, and local governments that began with the New Deal

Question 12

Cooperative Federalism Example

Answer 12

The US highway system – The national government provides funding while that state governments take care of construction and maintenance

Question 13

Mandates

Answer 13

When federal government tells a person/group to preform a duty (a command)

Question 14

Mandate Example

Answer 14

If federal government commanded every state to make wearing masks mandatory, that would be a mandate.

Question 15

Concurrent Powers

Answer 15

Powers shared by the state and national government

Question 16

Concurrent Powers Example

Answer 16

Legal drinking age – Federal gov makes drinking age 21, but states choose how it is implemented

Question 17

Reserved Powers

Answer 17

Powers given only to the states

Question 18

Reserved Powers Example

Answer 18

States have control over school district borders

Question 19

Categorical Grants

Answer 19

Grants that appropriate federals funds to states for a specific purpose

Question 20

Categorical Grants Example

Answer 20

Giving money to states in the form of education grants

Question 21

Block Grants

Answer 21

A large grant given to a state by the federal government with general spending guidelines

Question 22

Block Grants Example

Answer 22

CDBG Program supports community development activities like housing and economic development. Local government can determine how to use the funds based on community needs.

Question 23

Commerce Clause

Answer 23

An enumerated power in the Constitution that states that Congress has the power “to regulate trade among countries, states, and Indian tribes”

Question 24

Commerce Clause Example

Answer 24

Congress can restrict what is allowed on air crafts