Warmup

Review Ch. 3 Sec. 3 Informal Amendment The process by which many changes have been made in the Constitution that have not led to changes in the document’s written words 5 methods: Basic legislation Executive action Court decisions Party practices Custom

1. Basic legislation Many laws Congress passes change the Constitution Congress has added to the Constitution by how it uses its powers Federal Court System Commerce Clause

2. Executive Action The manner in which Presidents use their power modifies the Constitution War Powers Executive Agreements

3. Court Decisions The nation’s courts change the Constitution when they interpret and apply it for cases Marbury v. Madison

4. Party Practices The Constitution makes no mention of political parties But our government is government by party Nominating candidates The Electoral College

5. Custom Unwritten customs can be as strong as written laws The Cabinet Order of succession Term of the Presidency

Lecture Ch. 4 Federalism

Federalism defined Federalism A system of government in which power is divided up between a central government and many smaller governments Supremacy Clause The Constitution is the highest (most supreme) law of the land US Constitution US Government State Constitutions State Governments Local/City Governments

Powers of the National Government

The Division of Powers National Government Both State Government Delegated Powers -Regulate interstate and foreign trade -Borrow and coin money Declare war and make peace Concurrent Powers -Collect taxes -Borrow money Make and enforce laws Reserved Powers -Establish local governments -Conduct elections -Set up public schools Ratify amendments Powers denied national gov. -tax exports -abridge the Bill of Rights Powers denied both -Deny due process of law -Grant title of nobility Powers denied state gov. -Coin money -Make treaties -Tax imports or exports

Nation’s obligations Cooperative federalism -Parent/child relationship where states are aided and guided by national gov. Protection against invasion and domestic violence Federal grants-in-aid Block grants Revenue sharing

Interstate Relations Interstate Compacts Full faith and credit Agreements between states Full faith and credit States must honor one another’s licenses/laws Extradition The process of obtaining criminal’s from one state to the next Privileges and Immunities No state may draw unreasonable distinctions between its own residents and those of other States