federalism

seventeenth amendment

1913 constitutional amendment allowing American voters to directly elect US senators This is significant because it gives more power to the people, which is the basis of democracy. This amendment is still relevant today, and affects all eligible voters

extradition

A legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed. this is important because it guarantees that a criminal is persecuted in the state where they committed the crime, giving that state opportunity to seek justice.

federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments Federalism is the basic structure that our government is based on, and gives power to both the national and state government. Without federalism, there would be no structure to how the powers are distributed.

cooperative federalism

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. They may also share costs, administration, and even blame for programs that work poorly. This is significant because it shows how state and federal government can work together to make a better government and balance each other out.

interstate compact

An agreement among two or more states. Congress must approve most such agreements. This is significant because it builds trust and relationships between states, but not without the approval of Congress, showing the checks and balances system in action.

supremacy clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits. This is important because it makes the laws that hold the country together significant and makes it so that people are obligated to obey the law.

McCulloch v. Maryland 1819

Cheif justice john marshall limits of the US constition and of the authority of the federal and state govts. one side was opposed to establishment of a national bank and challenged the authority of federal govt to establish one. supreme court ruled that power of federal govt was supreme that of the states and the states couldnt interfere This gives more context to the way powers work between the state and national governments, but still shows that overall, the national government has the most influential powers.

full faith and credit clause

Clause in the Constitution (Article 4, Section 1) requiring each state to recognize the civil judgments rendered by the courts of the other states and to accept their public records and acts as valid. This is significant because it balances the relationships between states, and makes it so that judicial ruling are valid in other states.

Article I, Section 8, Clause 3: necessary and proper clause "elastic clause"

Clause of the Constitution 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 This is important because it leads back to implied powers, and makes it so that when a law is proven as necessary, it can be implemented.

gibbons v. ogden 1824

Commerce clause case. Decision greatly enlarged Congress' interstate commerce clause power by broadly defining the meaning of "commerce" to include virtually all types of economic activity. Pair with Lopez & Morrison cases (limiting commerce power). This is significant because it vastly affected how commerce is defined and how it works in our country and government system

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 These are important because they directly help communities and the people in order to promote general welfare.

categorical grants

Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes or "categories," of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions. Compare to block grants. This is significant because it gives states the money to do important things for local government, but is still monitored by the federal government so they don't abuse the grant.

ex post facto laws

Laws that punish conduct that was not illegal when it was performed. These laws are always unconstitutional. Also known as a retroactive law. This is significant because it makes sure that no one is wrongfully arrested for doing something that at the time was legal.

implied powers

Powers derived from the enumerated powers and the necessary and proper clause. These powers are not stated specifically but are considered to be reasonably implied through the exercise of delegated powers. Implied powers are significant because they show how very important powers that are not stated specifically but inferred and proven as necessary are very significant to our government.

reserved powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people This is very important, because it gives more power to the states, which in turn gives more power to the people. Our government is a democracy, which means its of the upmost importance for the people to have power in our government.

enumerated/expressed powers

Powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution; including the power to collect taxes, coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war. These are important because it shows specifically what powers explicitly belong to Congress. Some of the most important and influential powers are those given to Congress.

delegated powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government by the US Constitution, for example, the authority to print money. Delegated powers are significant because they express what specific powers belong exclusively to the federal government, powers that are very important to the way our country functions.

privliges and immunities clause

The Constitution's requirement that a state extend to other states' citizens the privileges and immunities it provides for its citizens. This is significant because it makes sure that all citizens have the same privileges, and that one group of citizens aren't over/underprivileged.

sixteenth amendment

The constitutional amendment adopted in 1913 that explicitly permitted Congress to levy an income tax. This is significant because the income tax is still a huge part of our economy today, and greatly effects all people with a job.

tenth amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. This is very important because it leads back to reserved powers, and it makes it so that the states have significant power in the process of our government. It also gives more power to the people, which is the basis of our government.

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. These are significant because foreign policy and affairs are a major part of how our country functions, and the laws that relate to that are incredibly important.

devolution

The process whereby regions within a state demand and gain political strength and growing autonomy at the expense of the central government. This is important because it shows how regions of states gain political power and strength, and how that effects the main government.

coercive 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) This is important because it is a significant form of government that you can compare to other forms of government, and is a good discussion topic for the best functioning system of government.

unfunded mandate

actions imposed by the federal or state government on lower levels of government which are not accompanied by the money needed to fund the action required. this is significant because it sets up a plan for ways to improve local government, and gives it potential for it to be funded.

concurent powers

authority shared by the states and federal government. This is significant because it shows how the state and federal government work together to help this country.