Constitutional Underpinnings

Vocabulary for the origins of the Constitution and federalism, etc.

24191555	social contract	an implicit agreement among people that results in the organization of society
24191556	republic	a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
24191557	separation of powers	a principle of govt. whereby constitutional authority is shared by 3 separate branches of govt.
24191558	implied powers	Powers assumed by the federal government, that are assumed to be necessary and proper to carry out its delegated powers into effect.
24191559	dual federalism	the federal system under which the national and state governments were responsible for separate policy areas
24191560	confederation	a loose association of independent states
24191561	enumerated powers	the powers explicitly given to Congress or the President in the Constitution
24191562	devolution	the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states
24191563	concurrent powers	powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments
24191564	block grants	federal funds provided for a broad purpose, unrestricted by detailed requirements and regulations