Untitled Deck

Question 1

Federalism

Answer 1

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Question 2

Dual Federalism (Layer Cake)

Answer 2

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.

Question 3

Cooperative Federalism

Answer 3

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. They may also share costs, administration, and even blame for programs that work poorly.

Question 4

Unitary System

Answer 4

A government that gives all key powers to the national or central government

Question 5

Reserved Powers

Answer 5

Powers given to the state government alone

Question 6

Selective Incorporation

Answer 6

The process by which provisions of the Bill of Rights are brought within the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment and so applied to state and local governments.

Question 7

Confederal System

Answer 7

A system consisting of a league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign powers. The central government created by such a league has only limited powers over the states.

Question 8

Concurrent Powers

Answer 8

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.

Question 9

Federal System

Answer 9

A government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments

Question 10

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Answer 10

Section of Article IV of the Constitution that ensures judicial decrees and contracts made in one state will be binding and enforceable in any other state.

Question 11

Grants-in-Aid

Answer 11

programs through which Congress provides money to state and local governments on the condition that the funds be employed for purposes defined by the federal government

Question 12

Expressed Powers

Answer 12

Those delegated powers of the National Government that are spelled out, expressly, in the Constitution; also called the “enumerated powers”

Question 13

Extradition

Answer 13

A legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed.

Question 14

Fiscal Federalism

Answer 14

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; it is the cornerstone of the national government’s relations with state and local governments.

Question 15

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Answer 15

Part of Article IV of the Constitution guaranteeing that the citizens of each state are afforded the same rights as citizens of all other states.

Question 16

Implied Powers

Answer 16

Powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution

Question 17

Categorical Grant

Answer 17

Funds provided for a specific and clearly defined purpose.

Question 18

Unfunded Mandates

Answer 18

Programs that the Federal government requires States to implement without Federal funding.

Question 19

Block Grants

Answer 19

Federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services

Question 20

Revenue Sharing

Answer 20

the distribution of a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments.

Question 21

Devolution

Answer 21

Transferring responsibility for policies from the federal government to state and local governments.

Question 22

Commerce Clause

Answer 22

The clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations.

Question 23

Necessary and proper clause

Answer 23

Section of the Constitution allowing Congress to pass all laws “necessary and proper” to its duties, and which has permitted Congress to exercise powers not specifically given to it (enumerated) by the Constitution.

Question 24

Supremacy Clause

Answer 24

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.