Chapter 3 Flashcards
What are the two levels of government in federalism?
National and state governments
Federalism involves a division of powers between these two levels.
What is the most common government system around the world?
Unitary system
In a unitary system, most or all of the governing power resides in a centralized government.
What historical document established a confederal system in the United States?
Articles of Confederation
This document created a weak central government and strong state governments.
What is an advantage of federalism?
Diffusion of power to prevent tyranny
This structure allows for a balance of power and prevents any one entity from gaining too much control.
What is a disadvantage of federalism?
Potential for conflict between state and national laws
This can lead to confusion and inconsistency in the application of laws.
What are the expressed powers of the national government according to the Constitution?
Powers listed in Article 1, Section 8
These powers include the ability to tax, regulate commerce, and declare war.
What is the ‘necessary and proper clause’?
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18
This clause allows Congress to make laws that are necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.
What is the ‘Elastic Clause’?
Another name for the necessary and proper clause
It refers to the flexibility of Congress to enact laws beyond those explicitly listed.
What does the 10th Amendment state?
Powers not enumerated are reserved to the states
This amendment reinforces the principle of federalism by affirming state powers.
What is the constitutional basis for federalism?
Compromise to form the Union
Federalism was established to balance the power between national and state governments.
Why is federalism important in America?
It allows for national identity with regional autonomy
This concept promotes unity without uniformity across states.
What are concurrent powers?
Powers shared by both national and state governments
Examples include the power to tax and enforce laws.
What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?
Article IV, Section 1
It requires states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.
What is the Privileges and Immunities Clause?
Article IV, Section 2
This clause prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states.
What is the importance of the Civil War in the context of federalism?
It marked a turning point for national government involvement in states’ affairs
The Civil War led to increased federal authority and the adoption of Civil War Amendments.
What amendments were passed during the Civil War that impacted federalism?
13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
These amendments abolished slavery, granted citizenship, and extended voting rights.
What led to the rise of federal economic regulations in the early 20th century?
Inability of states to cope with new problems
This period saw significant growth in federal authority to address issues like public health and economic stability.
What was the Federal Response during the Great Depression?
The New Deal
It involved federal funds and state cooperation to address economic crises.
What are categorical grants?
Grants for specific categories of government activity
These grants are often tightly controlled by the federal government.
What is a block grant?
A grant for a general functional area of government activity
It provides broader freedoms for states compared to categorical grants.
What is ‘Devolution’ in the context of federalism?
The transfer of powers from the national government to the states
This term is often associated with the idea of states as laboratories for policy experimentation.
Fill in the blank: The _______ Act of 1964 aimed to eliminate discrimination in various areas.
Civil Rights
This landmark legislation was a significant step in the federal protection of civil rights.
