Unitary System
A centralized governmental system in which ultimate governmental authority rests in the hands of the national, or central, government.
Confederal System
A system consisting of a league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign powers. The central government created by such a league has only limited powers over the states.
Enumerated Powers
Powers specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution. The first seventeenclauses of Article I, Section 8, specify most of the enumerated powers of the national government.
Elastic Clause, or Necessary and Proper Clause
The clause in Article I, Section 8, that grants Congress the power to do whatever is necessary to execute its specifically delegated powers
Police Power
The authority to legislate for the protection of the health, morals, safety, and welfare of the people. In the United States, most police pwer is reserved to the states.
Concurrent Powers
Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.
Supremacy Clause
The constitutional provision that makes the Constitution and federal laws superior to all conflicting state and local laws.
Interstate Compact
An agreement between two or more states. Agreements on minor matters are made without congressional consent, but any compact that tends to increase the power of the contracting states relative to other states or relative to the national government general
Commerce Clause
The section of the Constitution in which Congress is given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries.
Dual Federalism
A model of federalism in which the states and the national government each remain supreme within their own spheres. The doctrine looks on nation and state as co-equal sovereign powers. Neither the state government nor the national government should interf
Cooperative Federalism
A model of federalism in which the states and the national government cooperate in solving problems.
Picket-Fence Federalism
A model of federalism in which specific programs and plicies (depicted as vertical pickets in a picket fence) involve all levels of government - national, state, and local (depicted by the horizontal boards in a picket fence).
Categorical Grants
Federal grants to states or local governments that are for specific programs or projects.
Block Grants
Federal programs that provide funds to state and local governments for broad functional areas, such as criminal justice or mental - health programs.
Federal Mandate
A requirement in federal legislation that forces states and municpalities to comply with certain rules.
Devolution
The transfer of powers from a national or central government to a state or local government.