AP Government Chapter 3: Federalism Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is Regulatory Federalism?

A system where states have all the power

A federal system that does not involve state governments

A system where the national government sets requirements for state and local governments (correct)

A system of completely independent state governments

What is Revenue Sharing?

Distribution of part of the federal tax income to states and municipalities.

What are States' Rights?

Powers retained by states that are not specifically delegated to the central government.

What does the 11th Amendment state?

A state may not be sued in federal court by its own citizens or foreign state without consent. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 10th Amendment reserve?

Reserved powers of the states. Signup and view all the answers

Define Fiscal Federalism.

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system. Signup and view all the answers

What are Grants In Aid?

Money from the central government to states for specific projects. Signup and view all the answers

What is Extradition?

A legal process to surrender an alleged criminal offender to the state where the crime was committed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Commerce Clause?

The clause that gives Congress the power to regulate business activities that cross state lines. Signup and view all the answers

What are Delegated Powers?

Constitutional powers granted solely to the federal government. Signup and view all the answers

What are Implied Powers?

Powers derived from enumerated powers and the necessary and proper clause. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of US v. Lopez?

Congress must defer punishment to states for the gun-free school zone act as it exceeds Congressional authority. Signup and view all the answers

What did Gibbons v. Ogden reinforce?

The federal government's right to regulate interstate commerce. Signup and view all the answers

What was the ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland?

Federal law is stronger than state law. Signup and view all the answers

What is Preemption?

The right of federal law to override state laws. Signup and view all the answers

What are Inherent Powers?

Powers of the President derived from loosely worded statements in the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

Define Devolution.

The transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states. Signup and view all the answers

What is Picket-Fence Federalism?

A model of federalism involving all levels of government in specific programs. Signup and view all the answers

What is an Interstate Compact?

A formal agreement between states that requires congressional consent. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Necessary & Proper Clause allow?

Congress to make all laws necessary and proper for executing its powers. Signup and view all the answers

Define a Unitary System.

A centralized system where local governments exercise only powers granted by the central government. Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement of Full Faith and Credit?

Each state must accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. Signup and view all the answers

What are Expressed Powers?

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

Define Categorical Grants.

Federal grants used only for specific purposes. Signup and view all the answers

What is Dual Federalism?

A system where both state and national governments are supreme within their own spheres. Signup and view all the answers

What are Block Grants?

Federal grants given to states for broader programs. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Supremacy Clause establish?

The Constitution, national laws, and treaties are supreme over state laws. Signup and view all the answers

What is Cooperative Federalism?

The theory that state and federal governments should cooperate. Signup and view all the answers

What are Confederal Systems?

A government system consisting of independent states with limited central authority. Signup and view all the answers

What is Nullification?

A state's refusal to recognize an unconstitutional act of Congress. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Federal Mandate?

A requirement in federal legislation for state compliance with certain rules. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Elastic Clause entail?

It allows Congress to make laws necessary and proper to execute its powers. Signup and view all the answers

Define Concurrent Powers.

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments. Signup and view all the answers

What are Enumerated Powers?

Powers specifically granted to the national government by Congress. Signup and view all the answers

What are Reserved Powers?

Powers not specifically delegated to the federal government, reserved for states. Signup and view all the answers

What is Police Power?

The authority of state and local governments to enforce laws protecting public health and safety. Signup and view all the answers

What are Unfunded Mandates?

Federal laws that require states to act without funding. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 10th Amendment assert?

Powers not delegated to the national government or denied to states are reserved for states. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Regulatory Federalism

National government establishes requirements for implementation by state and local governments.
Examples include the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act and the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Federal tax income distributed to states and municipalities during Nixon's administration.
Addresses state funding issues directly, offering states discretion in use.

States' Rights

States retain powers not delegated to the national government by the Constitution.

11th Amendment

Protects states from being sued in federal court by citizens or foreign states without consent.

10th Amendment

Confirms reserved powers of states not specifically granted to the federal government.

Fiscal Federalism

Framework involving federal spending, taxing, and grant provision, essential for state and local government relations.

Grants In Aid

Financial assistance from the central government to states for specific projects like highways and education.

Extradition

Process where a state surrenders an alleged criminal to the state where the alleged crime occurred.

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress authority to regulate business activities that cross state lines or affect multiple states.

Delegated Powers

Constitutional powers granted specifically to the federal government, detailed in Article 1, Section 8.

Implied Power

Powers reasonably derived from enumerated powers; not explicitly stated but understood through actions.

US v. Lopez

Supreme Court ruling in 1994 that limited Congressional authority under the gun-free school zone act regarding interstate commerce.

Gibbons v. Ogden

1824 Supreme Court ruling reinforcing the federal government's regulation of interstate commerce against state monopolies.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Supreme Court ruling affirming federal authority over state actions, particularly tax issues related to a national bank.

Preemption

Federal law's authority to override or prevent enforcement of state or local laws.

Inherent Powers

Powers of the President derived from broadly interpreted constitutional statements, grounded in practice rather than strict laws.

Devolution

Transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government back to the states.

Picket-Fence Federalism

Model where specific programs and policies engage all government levels in a coordinated manner.

Interstate Compact

Formal agreements between states or between a state and a foreign state, requiring congressional consent.

Necessary & Proper Clause

Elastic Clause allowing Congress to enact laws deemed necessary for executing its constitutional powers.

Unitary System

Centralized governmental structure where local governments operate under powers granted by the national government.

Full Faith and Credit

Constitutional requirement for states to recognize each other's public acts, records, and judicial proceedings.

Expressed Powers

Specific powers granted to Congress or the President outlined explicitly in the Constitution.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds designated for specific state and local uses, often with attached conditions.

Dual Federalism

Government system where federal and state authorities operate independently within their domains.

Block Grants

Federal funding provided to states or communities for broader program initiatives without stringent conditions.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as supreme over conflicting state laws within constitutional limits.

Cooperative Federalism

Concept advocating collaboration between state and federal governments in addressing societal challenges.

Confederal Systems

A governmental structure with a league of independent states holding sovereign powers, limiting central authority.

Nullification

Concept of a state rejecting a federal law deemed unconstitutional.

Federal Mandate

Legal requirements imposed by federal legislation on states and municipalities, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Elastic Clause

Article I, Section 8 provision allowing Congress to enact necessary and proper laws for governmental operation.

Concurrent Powers

Powers exercised simultaneously by both national and state governments.

Enumerated Powers

Powers assigned exclusively to the national government by Congress.

Reserved Powers

Powers not granted to the federal government, reserved for states through the 10th Amendment.

Police Power

Authority of state and local governments to legislate for public health, safety, morals, and general welfare.

Unfunded Mandates

Federal requirements imposed on states without accompanying financial support, such as provisions in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

10th Amendment

Affirms that powers not explicitly assigned to the federal government or denied to the states are reserved for the states.

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Explore essential concepts in federalism with these flashcards based on AP Government Chapter 3. This quiz covers key terms such as Regulatory Federalism and Revenue Sharing, aiding students in understanding the relationship between national and local governments.