Federalism

Defining Federalism What is Federalism? – Definition: A way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have formal authority over the land and people. Intergovernmental Relations - – Definition: The workings of the federal system- the entire set of interactions among national, state and local governments.

Defining Federalism

Why is Federalism so important? Think about the question, and once you come up with an answer, tell the person to your left.

The Constitutional Basis of Federalism The Division of Power Establishing National Supremacy State’s Obligations to Each Other

Understanding Federalism Advantages for Democracy – Increasing access to government – Local problems can be solved locally – Hard for political parties / interest groups to dominate ALL politics Disadvantages for Democracy – States have different levels of service – Local interest can counteract national interests – Too many levels of government - too much money

Vocab to Know Dual Federalism (Layer Cake Federalism)- Where states and the national government remain supreme within their own roles. National: Military, Foreign Policy, Post Office State: schools, roads, law enforcement

Cooperative Federalism (Marble Cake Federalism)- Where the power is shared both by the national government and the state. Education: State’s responsibility/ Federal Mandates Medicade: State Managed/ Federally Funded

Reserved Powers- Powers reserved to the states or the federal government ONLY. No sharing here Military, Declaring War, Ambassadors Concurrent Powers- Powers shared between the states and the Federal Gov. Tax, build roads, establish court systems

Intergovernmental Relations Today Fiscal Federalism: – The Grant System: Distributing the Federal Pie – Categorical: $ can only be used for a specific purpose. – Block: states and communities decide how to spend the $, broad range – Mandates: Congress may/may not give $, but states are REQUIRED to do what is asked

Intergovernmental Relations Today Federal Grants to State and Local Governments (Figure 3.1)

Figure 3.2 Intergovernmental Relations Today Fiscal Federalism

Federalism and Gun Control Right to bear arms is guaranteed by the Second Amendment Some Stats: – ATF reports 4 million firearms manufactured in US in 1999 – ATF reports that 1,271,568 weapons were registered in – CDC reports 79 US residents die from gun violence every day in 2003.

Who Regulates Guns? Feds:States: Interstate Transport Brady Bill Assault Weapons Ban Child Access Prevention Concealed weapons Private Sales to Minors Secondary Sales Waiting Periods Licensing (if there is any)

Evolution of Gun Laws Source: Brady Campaign—2004 Report Card

Debate Should gun control be entirely a federally regulated issue? Or should gun control remain largely regulated by individual states? Who (federal or states) is best suited to solve the problem? Who is best suited to pay for it?

Understanding Federalism State Welfare Benefits (Figure 3.3)

Understanding Federalism Spending on Public Education (Figure 3.4)

Understanding Federalism

The Public Sector and the Federal System (Figure 3.5)