Key Concepts in US Politics and Government

Liberalism

Liberalism refers to a state's tendency to expand welfare benefits, regulate business, adopt progressive state income taxes, and generally use the resources of government to achieve social change.

Conservatism

Conservatism refers to a state's tendency to limit welfare benefits, deregulate business, keep taxes low, and generally place less reliance on government and more reliance on individuals and the marketplace to achieve social goals.

Political Culture

Political Culture refers to historical styles and traditions in states' politics that cannot be directly attributed to demographic factors.

Direct Democracy

Direct Democracy is popular participation in government through direct voter initiation of policy and voter approval or rejection of policy decisions.

Initiative

Initiative is a process where a specific number of voters may petition to have a constitutional amendment or law placed on the ballot for adoption or rejection by the electorate.

Referenda

Referenda are proposed laws submitted to the voters for their direct approval or rejection.

Recall

Recall is an election to allow voters to decide whether to remove an elected official before their term expires.

Checks and Balances

Checks and Balances are constitutional provisions giving each branch of state government certain checks over other branches.

Separation of Powers

Separation of Powers is the dispersal of power among the separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Federalism

Federalism is a system whereby power is divided between national and subnational governments, each of which enforces its own laws directly on its citizens.

Delegate or Enumerated Powers

Delegate or Enumerated Powers are powers mentioned in the Constitution as belonging to the national government.

Necessary and Proper Clause

The Necessary and Proper Clause, found in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, grants Congress the power to enact all laws that are "necessary and proper" for carrying out those responsibilities specifically delegated to it.

Implied Powers Clause

The Implied Powers Clause refers to powers not mentioned specifically in the Constitution as belonging to Congress but inferred as necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated powers.

National Supremacy

National Supremacy is a clause in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution declaring the Constitution and laws of the national government "the supreme law of the land," superior to the constitutions of the states.

Grants-In-Aid

Grants-In-Aid are payments of funds from the national government to state or local governments.

Categorical Grants

Categorical Grants are federal grants-in-aid to state or local governments for specific purposes.

Block Grants

Block Grants are federal grants-in-aid for general governmental functions, allowing state and local governments to exercise some flexibility in use.

Dual Federalism

Dual Federalism is an early concept of federalism in which national and state powers were clearly distinguished and functionally separate.

Cooperative Federalism

Cooperative Federalism is a system where national, state, and local governments work together, exercising common policy responsibilities.