Test Flashcards
(31 cards)
Anti-Federalists, at the 1787 Founding
who viewed such a proposition as a New World version of
the dictatorial arrangement ordained by the British crown.
Articles of Confederation
First Effort at Self-governance
1777 to 1789. A “league of friendship” by autonomous states. 1786 reforms failed.
Bill of Rights
in every one, a list of restrictions on the national government
Block Grants
are funds that Congress provides for general use with few conditions, often on a per capita basis
Categorical Grants
are allocations where
Congress is very specific in the use of the federal money by the states or other
lower levels of government;
Centralization
a system of government where most of the power is held by a central authority.
Concurrent Powers
powers that are shared by both the federal government and state governments
Constitutional Convention
- May 1787-all summer. Created other 2 branches, and stronger central government with some listed powers in the Article 1 description of the Congress—unwritten assumption that the rest were left to states or the people
- Representation—different definitions in different places of the national government, with separated and internally checked powers, including judicial review.
- Power distribution—Federalist and anti-Federalist factions at the convention, neither clearly won, fights shaped the first political parties
- Liberty vs. equality—local liberty an anti-Federalist view, broader uniformity and equality a Federalist view.
Decentralization
the transfer of power from a central government to lower levels of government
Devolution
developments since the beginning of the twenty-first century
suggest renewed support for the reallocation of some acquired federal authority
back to the states and smaller units. This most recent movement is referred
to by some as “devolution.
Electoral College
a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.
Enumerated Powers
the specific powers granted to the federal government by the United States Constitution (numerated=number=specific)
Federalism
political power relationship among governments within the same political setting. Government has monopoly power and in representative and democratic ones hopefully with our consent
Federalist
who saw the need for a stronger national government
Federalist
who saw the need for a stronger national government
14th Amendment
guarantees citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the U.S. It also protects citizens from discrimination and provides equal protection under the law.
Implied Powers
holding that many of the national
government’s powers were implied by the language
Incorporation of Bill of Rights
the process of applying the Bill of Rights to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment
Laboratories of Democracy
This concept explains how within the federal framework, there exists a system of state autonomy where state and local governments act as social laboratories, where laws and policies are created and tested at the state level of the democratic system, in a manner similar (in theory, at least) to the scientific method.
Necessary and Proper Clause
Congress the power to make laws that are necessary and proper to carry out the powers of the federal government.
9th Amendment
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people
Police Powers
Police power is the authority of a government to make laws and use force to keep the public safe, healthy, and orderly. It’s a fundamental power of the state, and is a key part of the US system of federalism.
Preemption
Preemption is a legal doctrine that allows a higher level of government to limit or eliminate a lower level of government’s ability to regulate an issue.
Reserved Powers
those that are not specifically granted to the national government in the Constitution and are therefore reserved to the states
