Federalism Flashcards

Study Notes

10th Amendment: Defines the division of power between federal and state governments, stating the federal government has only those powers specifically granted by the Constitution.
Delegated Powers: Powers specifically granted to Congress, detailed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, totaling nineteen outlined powers.
Denied Powers: Powers prohibited to states, such as making treaties, coining money, or impairing contracts, as detailed in Article I.

Federalism: A governance system where power is divided between a national (federal) government and regional governments.
Concurrent Powers: Powers shared by both federal and state governments, including taxation, borrowing money, and establishing courts.
Dual Federalism: A model where state and federal powers are clearly defined and operate independently without federal interference.

Block Grants: Federal grants for broad public policy areas, offering states flexibility in how to utilize the funds.
Categorical Grants: Federal grants allocated for specific purposes with stringent criteria.
Grants-in-Aid: Financial assistance given by the federal government to local or state governments or institutions.

Extradition: The process of transferring a person accused or convicted of a crime to the jurisdiction where the crime was committed.
Full Faith and Credit Clause: Article IV, Section 1 mandates states to respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.
Gonzales v. Raich: The Supreme Court ruled the federal government could preempt state laws on medical marijuana based on the Commerce Clause and Controlled Substances Act.
Gonzales v. Oregon: The Court decided the federal government could not overrule state laws allowing doctors to prescribe drugs for assisted suicide.

Act of Admission: Congressional act formalizing the entry of a new state into the Union.
Cooperative Federalism: A model emphasizing collaboration among national, state, and local governments to address shared problems, prevalent from the 1930s to the 1970s.
Carrot and Stick Approach: A policy combining rewards (carrots) with penalties (sticks) to influence behavior and decisions in governance.
Devolution: The process of transferring powers from a central government to local or regional administrations.
Enabling Act: Legislation that provides the authority for entities to take specific actions, often related to establishing governmental bodies.

Big 7: Refers to seven key aspects or principles of federalism that define its operation and structure.
Implied Powers: Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but necessary to implement the expressed powers effectively.