Federalism Vocabulary

A system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central (or national) government, and several regional governments.

• implied powers

• delegated powers

• federalism

• inherent powers

Basic principle of federalism; the constitutional provisions by which governmental powers are divided on a geographic basis (in the United States, between the National Government and the States)

• revenue sharing

• delegated powers

• popular sovereignty

• division of powers

Those powers-expressed, implied, or inherent-granted to the National Government by the constitution

• delegated powers

• expressed powers

• implied powers

• inherent powers

Those delegated powers of the National Government that are spelled out, expressly, in the Constitution; also called the "enumerated powers"

• delegated powers

• implied powers

• expressed powers

• inherent powers

Those delegated powers of the national Government that are suggested by the expressed powers set out in the Constitution; those "necessary and proper" to carry out the expressed powers.

• delegated powers

• reserved powers

• minority rights

• implied powers

Powers the Constitution is presumed to have delegated to the National Government because it is the government of a sovereign state within the world community

• inherent powers

• majority rules

• two/thirds vote of the legislature

• concurrent powers

Those powers that the constitution does not grant to the National Government and does not, at the same time, deny to the States.

• implied powers

• exclusive powers

• reserved powers

• delegated powers

One type of federal grants-in-aid; made for some specific, closely defined, purpose.

• categorical grant

• project grant

• grants-in-aid program

One type of federal grants-in-aid; made for specific projects to States, localities, and private agencies who apply for them

• block grant

• project grant

• revenue sharing

• concurrent powers

The Constitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

• Full Faith and Credit Clause

• Privileges and Immunities Clause

• enabling act

• reserved powers