AP Gov Unit 2 Vocab

Preemption

A doctrine under which certain federal laws preempt, or take precedence over, conflicting state or local laws. Example: When federal law overrules state Synonym:

Unitary System

A government that gives all key powers to the national or central government. Example: Japan and U.K. Synonym:

Confederation

A political system in which a weak central government has limited authority, and the states have ultimate power. Example: State power Synonym:

Federal Mandate

A requirement the federal government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds. Example:Drinking age of 21 Synonym:

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments. Example: Gay marriage Synonym:

Necessary & Proper Clause

Clause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress, in addition to its express powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government. Example: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 Synonym:

Full Faith & Credit Clause

Constitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. Example: Article 4, Section 1 Synonym:

National Supremacy

Constitutional doctrine that whenever conflict occurs between the constitutionally authorized actions of the national government and those of a state or local government, the actions of the federal government prevail. Example: Article 6, instead of state cop, FBI Synonym:

Fiscal Federation

Cooperative federalism then evolved into fiscal federalism. Initially started to help fund farm related education. Example: When fed. gives money to state in order to get them to do what they want. Synonym:

Block Grants

Federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services. Example: States have more of a say where the federal money goes to. Synonym:

Concurrent Powers

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments. Example: Power to tax military Synonym:

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution. Example: Levy taxes Synonym:

Expressed Powers

Powers that congress has that are specifically listed in the constitution. Example: Necessary and Power Clause Synonym:

Commerce Clause

The clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations. Example: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 Synonym:

Devolution Revolution

The effort to slow the growth of the federal government by returning many functions to the states. Example: A Republican View Synonym:

Inherent Powers

The powers of the national government in foreign affairs that the Supreme Court has declared do not depend on constitutional grants but rather grow out of the very existence of the national government. Example: CA is apart of the US Synonym: