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

Checks and Balances

Answer 4

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 5

Commerce Clause

Answer 5

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 6

Concurrent Powers

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Confederation

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Direct Democracy

Answer 8

system in which the people rule themselves.

Question 9

Elastic Clause

Answer 9

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 10

Enumerated Powers

Answer 10

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 11

Elite Theory

Answer 11

theory that upper class elites exercise great influence over public policy.

Question 12

Factions

Answer 12

term used by Madison to denote what we now call interest groups.

Question 13

Federalism

Answer 13

constitutional sharing of power between a central government and state governments

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. known as representative democracy

Question 21

Inherent Powers

Answer 21

foreign policy powers (acquiring territory) held by the national government

Question 22

Informal Amendment

Answer 22

a change in the meaning, but not the wording, of the Constitution, through a court decisions

Question 23

Judicial Review

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Mandates

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Marbury v. Madison

Answer 25

1803: established the power of judicial review

Question 26

McCulloch v. Maryland

Answer 26

1819: established principle of national supremacy and validity of implied powers.

Question 27

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 27

principle in which ultimate political authority rests with the people.

Question 28

Reserved Powers

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Separation of Powers

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Shay’s Rebellion

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Unicameral Legislature

Answer 31

one-house legislature