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Chapters 1-3
American Government Ninth Edition
59
Other
10th Grade
09/10/2011

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Term
Block Grants
Definition
Grants of money from the federal government to states for programs in certain general areas rather than for specific programs
Term
Confederation or Confederal System
Definition
political system in which states or regional governemtn retain ultimate authority except for thos powers that they expressly delegate to a central government
Term
Counties
Definition
largest territorial unit between a city and a town
Term
Devolution
Definition
current effort to scale back the size and activities of national government andto shift responsibility for domestic programs from washington to the states
Ex. Welfare, healthcare, job training
Term
Dual Federalism
Definition
constitutional theory that the national government and state governments each have defined areas of authority, especially over commerce
Term
Federalism
Definition
political system in which authority is shared between a central government and state or regional governments
Term
Federal Regime
Definition
political system in which local units of government have a specially protected existence and can make final decisions over some governmental activities
Term
Federal System
Definition
system in which sovereignty is shared so that on some matters national government is supreme and on other matters the state, regional, or provincial governments are supreme
Term
General Act Charter
Definition
applies to number of cities that fall within a certain classification
(usually based on population)
Term
Grants-In-Aid
Definition
federal funds provided to states and localities. Typically provided for airports, highways, education, and major welfare services
Term
Home Rule Charter
Definition
charter that allows city government to do aything that is not prohibited by the charter or by state law
Term
Municipal Coporation or Municipality
Definition
legal term for city. chartered by state to exercise certain powers and provide certain services
Term
Necessary and Proper Clause
Definition
Authorizes Congress to pass all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out the enumerated powers. Sometimes call the "elastic clause" because of flexibility it provides congress
Term
Dillions Rule
Definition
legal principle that holds that the terms of city charters are to be interpreted narrowly. Under this rule a city can exercise only those powers expressly given it or those powers necessary, implied by, or essential to the accomplishment of these stated powers
Term
Ordinances
Definition
law passed and enforced by city government
Term
Nullification
Definition
theory that states have right to declare null and void a federal law that the thought to be constitional. States do NOT have this right
Term
Police Power
Definition
power of a state to promote heath, safety, and morals
Term
Recall
Definition
procedure, in effect in over 20 states, whereby the voters can vote to remove and elected official from office
Term
Referendum
Definition
practice of submitting a lawto a populare vote at election time. Law may be proposed by a voters initiative or by the legislature
Term
School Districts
Definition
special-district government responsible for administering public schools
Term
Categorical Grants
Definition
federal grants for spcific purposes defined by federal law
Ex. build an airport
Term
Conditions of Aid
Definition
federal rules attacted to the grants that states receive
Term
Initiative
Definition
procedure allowing voters to submit a proposed law to a popular vote by obtaining a required number of signatures
Term
Mandates
Definition
rules imposed by federal government on states as conditions for obtaining federal grants or requirements that the states pay the costs of certain nationally defined programs
Term
Revenue Sharing
Definition
law providing for the distribution of a fixed amount or share of federal tax revenues to the states for spending on almost any government purpose
Term
Second Order Devolution
Definition
flow of power and responsibility from states to local governments
Term
Sovereignty
Definition
supreme or ultimate political authority
Term
Special District Governments or Authorities
Definition
local or regional government with repsonsibitlity forsome single function such as administering schools, handling sewage, or managing airports
Term
Special Act Charter
Definition
charter that denies the power of a certain named city and lists what the city can and cannot do
Term
Third Order Devolution
Definition
use of non-governmental organizations to implement public policy
Term
Unitary System
Definition
system in which sovereignty is wholly in the hands of the national government
Term
Power
Definition
Ability of one person to get another personto act in accordance with the first persons intentions
Term
Authority
Definition
Rigt to use power
Term
Legitimacy
Definition
politial authority
Term
Democracy
Definition
rule of many
Term
Direct or Participatory Democracy
Definition
all or most citizens participate directly in government
Term
Marxists
Definition
people who believe that those who control economy control politics
Term
Bureaucrats
Definition
Apppointed officials who operate government agencies from day to day
Term
Pluralist
Definition
Competition amond all affected interests shapes public policy
Term
Representative Democracy
Definition
leaders are voted for by citizens. then leaders make decisions
Term
Articles of Confederation
Definition
constitiution drafted by newly independent states in 1777. Weak national government. Created "league of Friendship"
Term
Constitutional Convention
Definition
meeting of delegates in 1787 to revise the articles of confederation. they produced a new constitution instead
Term
Shay's Rebellion
Definition
rebellion led by daniel Shays because they were unhappy with economy. Highlighted need for stronger national government.
Term
Unalienable
Definition
based on nature and providence rather than on the preferances of the people
Term
Antifederalists
Definition
opponents of strong central government. Wanted states rights and a bill of rights in constitution
Term
Bill of Attainder
Definition
law that declares a person without a trial to be guilty of a crime
Term
Bill of Rights
Definition
First ten ammendments of constitution
Term
Coalition
Definition
alliance among different interest groups or parties to achieve a political goal
Term
Ex Post Facto law
Definition
law that makes criminal an act that was legal when it was commited, or increased a penalty
Term
Faction
Definition
group of people who seek to influence public policy in ways contrary to public good
Term
Separation of Powers
Definition
3 separate branches of government--legislative, judicial, executive
Term
Republic
Definition
form of democracy in which power is vested in representatives selected by means of popular competitive elections
Term
Line Item Veto
Definition
power of an executive to veto some provisions in an appropriations bill while approving others. President does not have this right
Term
Judicial Review
Definition
power of courts to declare acts of legislature and of executives to be unconstitutional and hence null and void
Term
Great Compromise
Definition
Senate and house of Reps. One based on population, other has set number. Conneticut Compromise
Term
Federalism
Definition
political system in which ultimate authority is shared between a central government and state or regional governments
Term
Federalists
Definition
supporters of strong central government
Term
Writ of Habeus Corpus
Definition
must have cause or warrant for someones arrest/detention. Designed to prevent illegal arrests and imprisonment
Term
Federalist Papers
Definition
series of papers written to convince New Yorkers to ratify constitutions. Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay under name Publius
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