unit 1

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 (transportation) rather than for a narrow purpose (school lunch program)

Question 3

categorical grant

Answer 3

money granted by the federal gov to the states for a narrow purpose rather than for a broad purpose

Question 4

centralist

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 to branches

Question 6

commerce clause

Answer 6

gives congress power to regulate commerce among states, with foreign nations, and among Indian tribes; article 1 section 8

Question 7

concurrent powers

Answer 7

those held by both congress and states (law enforcement agencies)

Question 8

confederation

Answer 8

system in which sovereign states are only loosely tied to central government

Question 9

decentralists

Answer 9

those who favor greater state authority rather than national authority

Question 10

direct democracy

Answer 10

system in which people rule themselves

Question 11

elastic clause

Answer 11

congress can exercise those powers that are “necessary and proper” for carrying out the enumerated powers

Question 12

enumerate powers

Answer 12

those that are specifically guaranteed to congress in article 1 section 8 of constitution

Question 13

federalism

Answer 13

constitutional sharing of power between central government and state governments

Question 14

duel federalism

Answer 14

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

Question 15

cooperative federalism

Answer 15

system in which both federal 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 NY to adopt the constitution

Question 18

formal amendment

Answer 18

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 confess through the elastic clause

Question 20

indirect/representative democracy

Answer 20

system in which people are ruled by representatives, also known as republic

Question 21

inherent powers

Answer 21

foreign policy owners held by the national government by virtue of its being a national government

Question 22

informal amendment

Answer 22

a change in meaning, but not wording, of the constitution