Government and Political Terms

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Expressed Powers

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Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

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Interstate Commerce

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Trade and other commercial activities that cross state lines, regulated by the federal government.

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Intrastate Commerce

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Trade and other commercial activities conducted within a state's borders, regulated by the state.

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Unfunded Mandate

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A regulation or policy imposed by the federal government on state or local governments without providing funds to cover the costs.

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Devolution

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The transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states.

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Apportionment

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The process of distributing seats in a legislative body, such as the House of Representatives, based on population.

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Gerrymandering

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The practice of drawing district boundaries in a way that gives one political party an advantage over others.

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Redistricting

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The process of drawing electoral district boundaries, typically done every ten years after the census.