Federalism today
a form of federalism in which federal funds are allocated to the lower levels of government through transfer payments or grants
fiscal federalism
the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
What was the limited authority of the national government a negative sign of when the country was governed under the Articles of Confederation?
A compromise between the large and small states, proposed by Connecticut, in which Congress would have two houses: a Senate with two legislators per state and a House of Representatives in which each state's representation would be based on population
Great Compromise
the supreme power of an independent state to regulate its internal affairs without foreign interference
sovereign power
the idea that states are entitled to a certain amount of self-government, free of federal government intervention. This became a central issue in the period leading up to the Civil War
states' rights
federal aid to state or local governments that is provided for a specific purpose, such as a mass-transit program within the transportation budget or a school lunch program within the education budget
categorical grant
an uprising of 4,000 men in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787 to protest oppressive laws and gain payment of war debts
What was Shay's rebellion?
a system of government in which legislative and executive power are closely joined. The legislature (parliament) selects the chief executive (prime minister) who forms the cabinet from members of parliament
parliamentary system
police powers
the form of federalism favored by Chief Justice Roger Taney, in which national and state governments are seen as distinct entities providing separate services. This model limits the power of the national government
dual federalism
federal aid provided to a state government to be spent within a certain policy area, but the state can decide how to spend the money within that area
block grants
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
What are the natural rights listed in the Declaration of Independence?
As defined in the Tenth Amendment, powers that are not given to the national government by the Constitution, or not prohibited to the states, are reserved by the states or the people
Reserved powers
responsibilities for particular policy areas, such as transportation, that are shared by federal, state, and local governments
concurrent powers
a form of federalism in which national and state governments work together to provide services efficiently. this form emerged in the late 1930s, representing a profound shift toward less concrete boundaries of responsibility in national-state relations.
cooperative federalism
federal laws that require the states to do certain things but do not provide state governments with funding to implement these policies
unfunded mandates
Essays that supported the ratification of the Constitution
What are the Federalist Papers?
Part of Article VI, Section 2, of the Constitution stating that the Constitution and the laws and treaties of the United States are the "Supreme Law of the Land," meaning national laws take precedence over state laws if the two conflict.
national supremacy clause
a form of government in which states hold power over a limited national government
confederal government
a more refined and realistic form of cooperative federalism in which policy makers within a particular policy area work together across the levels of government
picket fence federalism
a form of federalism in which the federal government pressures the states to change their policies by using regulations, mandates, and conditions (often involving threats to withdraw federal funding)
coercive federalism
a protection against majority tyranny in a democracy
What can a large republic be?
Part of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution that grants Congress the power to pass all laws related to its expressed powers; also known as the elastic clause
necessary and proper clause
Part of Article IV of the Constitution requiring that each state's laws be honored by the other states. For example, a legal marriage in one state must be recognized across state lines
full faith and credit clause
a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1819 that Maryland did not have the power to tax the Second Bank of the United States and that Congress did have the power to create the Bank under the "necessary and proper" clause and the "supremacy clause"
McCulloch v. Maryland