Chapter 3 Key Terms: Federalism

Front

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Back

Federalism

Front

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.

Back

Sovereignty

Front

A system of political organization with a central supreme government which holds the authority over and makes the decisions for subordinate local governments.

Back

Unitary System

Front

A system of government in which sovereign states delegate power to a central government for specific purposes.

Back

Confederal System

Front

A system of government in which entities such as states or provinces share power with a national government.

Back

Federal System

Front

A clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to make all laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out its duties.

Back

Necessary and Proper Clause

Front

The act of cancelling something. In U.S. history, it refers to the idea that states can invalidate federal laws deemed unconstitutional.

Back

Nullification

Front

Doctrine holding that the national government is supreme in its sphere, the states are supreme in theirs, and the two spheres should be kept separate.

Back

Dual Federalism

Front

A concept of federalism in which national, state, and local governments interact cooperatively and collectively to solve common problems.

Back

Cooperative Federalism

Front

A phrase that describes how a state may serve as a laboratory to try out social and economic experiments without risk to the rest of the country.

Back

Laboratories of Democracy