Federalism Terms

Question 1

Federalism

Answer 1

A form of governing that implies that the power is equal between the states and federal government

Question 2

Unitary Government

Answer 2

A system of government in which most or all of the power is given to the national government

Question 3

Confederal Government

Answer 3

A system of government in which the states have more power than the national government

Question 4

Federal Government

Answer 4

A system of government in which the federal government and state governments have equal power; federalism

Question 5

Dual Federalism

Answer 5

A type of federalism in which the national and state government have separate and distinct powers

Question 6

Cooperative Federalism

Answer 6

A type of federalism in which the powers of the national government and the state government overlap

Question 7

Expressed/ Enumerated Powers

Answer 7

the powers literally listed in the constitution

Question 8

Implied Powers

Answer 8

powers that are not listed in the constitution but are still acted upon in order to fulfill the listed powers

Question 9

Commerce Clause

Answer 9

Gives Congress the power to manage trade relationships between national and international governments

Question 10

Commerce

Answer 10

the production, buying, selling, renting and
transporting of goods

Question 11

Congress’s Power to Tax and Spend

Answer 11

allows Congress the ability to
make laws in policy areas that the national government doesn’t have the explicit power to do (education, agriculture, etc.)

Question 12

Federal Mandates

Answer 12

a requirement states must meet in order to
get federal funds

Question 13

Supremacy Clause

Answer 13

Dictates that if the state laws and federal laws conflict, it is required to follow the federal law

Question 14

War Power

Answer 14

Any power that the national government has in reference to war

Question 15

Reserved Powers

Answer 15

Dictates all remaining government powers to the states as long as they were not given to the federal government or denied to the states by the Constitution; stated in the 10th Amendment

Question 16

Concurrent Powers

Answer 16

powers possessed by both the national and state governments

Question 17

What are things that the states are not allowed to do?

Answer 17

• Make treaties with foreign countries
• Coin money
• Tax imports or exports
• Engage in war

Question 18

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Answer 18

dictates that each state must respect the validity of other public acts and records

Question 19

Privilege and Immunities Clause

Answer 19

dictates that each state must grant the citizens of every other state the same rights as their own citizens

Question 20

Interstate Compacts

Answer 20

an agreement among two or more states; requires approval from congress

Question 21

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Answer 21

Established that the state governments could not tax the federal government

Question 22

Centralist View

Answer 22

favors using the national government to solve policy issues

Question 23

Decentralist View

Answer 23

favors leaving policy issues to the state government as opposed to the central government

Question 24

Devolution

Answer 24

the returning of responsibility and power downward; from the federal to the state governments; from the state government to the local governments

Question 25

What are the purposes of National Grants?

Answer 25

- To provide the state and local governments with revenue - Establish a national standard; highways and clean air - Equalize resources among the states - Attack national problems but minimize the growth of national agencies

Question 26

Categorical Grant

Answer 26

a grant given for specific purposes/ organization

Question 27

Block Grant

Answer 27

grants given for more general purposes

Question 28

Formula Grants

Answer 28

grants which are distributes based on some type of formula

Question 29

Project Grants

Answer 29

grants given for specific activities; scientific research or homeland security

Question 30

Unfunded mandate

Answer 30

requirements given to the states and local governments from the federal government without financial assistance

Question 31

Extradition

Answer 31

Requires that if a person commits a crime in one state, it is necessary to transport them back to the state where the crime was committed

Question 32

U.S. v. Lopez

Answer 32

This case established limits on Congress's Commerce Clause

Question 33

What are the advantages of federalism?

Answer 33

- Prevent tyranny - Unity without uniformity - Encourages experimentation within the states - Trains future national leaders

Question 34

What are the disadvantages of federalism?

Answer 34

- Difficulty holding leaders accountable - The lack of uniformity often leads to conflict - Difficulty responding to national crises