U.s. Government Constitutional Underpinnings

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Two-house legislature.

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Bicameral legislature

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Money granted by the federal government to the states for a broad purpose (e.g., transportation) rather than for a narrow purpose (e.g., school lunch program).

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Block grant

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Money granted by the federal government to the states for a narrow purpose rather than for a broad purpose.

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Catergorical grant

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Those who favor greater national authority rather that state authority.

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Centralists

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System in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches.

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Checks and balances

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Gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, with foreign nations, and among Indian tribes. Granted through Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution.

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Commerce clause

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Those held by both Congress and the states (e.g., establishing law enforcement angencies.

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Concurrent powers

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System in which sovereign states are only loosely tied to a central government (e.g., the U.S. under the Article of Confederation).

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Confederation

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Those who favor greater state authority rather than national authority.

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Decentralists

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System in which the people rule themselves.

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Direct Democracy

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States that Congress can exercise those powers that are "necessay and proper" for carrying out th eenumerated powers.

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Elastic Clause

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Those that are specifically granted to Congress in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution.

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Enumerated Powers

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Constitutional sharing of power between a central government and state governments.

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Federalism

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System in which the national government and state governments are coequal, with each being dominant within its respective sphere.

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Dual Federalism

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System in which both federal government and state governments cooperate in solving problems.

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Cooperative Federalism

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System in which the national government restores greater authority back to the states.

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New Federalism

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Group of 85 essays written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay for the purpose of pursuading the people of New York to adopt the Constitution.

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Federalist Papers

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A change in the actual wording of the COnstitution. Proposed by Congress or national convention, and ratified by the states.

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Formal Amendment

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Those that are "necessary and proper" to carry out Congress' enumerated powers, and are granted to Congress throught the elastic clause.

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Implied Powers

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System in which the people are ruled by their representatives. Also known as a representative democracy, or republic.

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Indirect Democracy

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Foreign policy powers held by the national government by virtue of its being a national government.

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Inherent Powers

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A change in the meaning, but not the wording, of the Constitution.

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Informal Amendment

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Power of the courts to rule on the constitutionality of laws and government actions.

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Judicial Review

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Requirements imposed by the national government upon the states.

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Mandates

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1803: established the power of judicial review.

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Marbury vs. Madison

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1819: established principle of national supremacy and validity of implied powers.

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McCullock vs. Maryland

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Powers of the states to protect the public heath, safety, morals, and welfare of the public.

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Police Powers

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Principle in which ultimate political authority rests with the people.

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Popular Sovereignty

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Powers held by the states through the 10th Amendment. Any power not granted to the U.S. government is "reserved" for the states.

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Reserved Powers

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Principle in which the powers of government are seperated among three branched: legislative, executive, and judicial.

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Seperation of Powers

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1786 revolt by Massachusetts farmers seeking relief from debt and foreclosure that was a factor in the calling of the Constitutional Convention.

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Shays' Rebellion

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A majority greater than a simple majority of one over half e.g., 3/5, 2/3

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Supermajority

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One-house legislature.

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Unicameral Legislature