Introduction to Federalism

Take notes in order to…. Build vocabulary for upcoming chapter 3 quiz (and beyond) Answer the following guiding question: Would the founders approve of how our federal system is working today?

What is Federalism Federalism: Two or more governments exercise power and authority over the same people in the same territory Intergovernmental Relations: the workings of the federal system- the entire set of interactions among national, state and local governments

Unitary System – all power flows from one central government Powerful British Government Political Subunits (Colonies) Colonies Under British Control UNITARY SYSTEM Central govt – primary authority, regulates activities of the states State govt – little or no powers, duties regulated by central govt Citizens – vote for central officials

Articles of Confederation Confederal System – power concentrated in political subunits with a weak central government (typically unite for a specific common goal) CONFEDERAL SYSTEM Central govt – limited powers to coordinate state activities State govt – sovereign, allocate some duties to central govt Citizens – vote for state govt officials

Is there a balance between the extremes? Centralized Decentralized Unitary is too much like Britain’s system. Confederal is too weak. Even those who like a unitary system know it would never pass

The First Federal System Federal System – a blend of Unitary and Confederal systems. FEDERAL Central govt – shares power with states State govts – shares power with central govt Citizens – vote for both state and central govt officials Bi-directional arrow shows that the subdivisions are not left powerless.

Federalism How the circle and the squares get along

What is Federalism Federalism: Two or more governments exercise power and authority over the same people in the same territory –Constitutional division of power between the national government (circle) and state government (square). –Both get their powers from the Constitution, not each other.

Defining Federalism Why is Federalism So Important? –Decentralizes our politics –Decentralizes our policies

The Constitutional Basis of Federalism Supremacy Clause 10 th Amendment – Reserved Powers Establishing National Supremacy –Implied Powers –Commerce Powers State’s Obligations to Each Other –Full Faith and Credit –Privileges and Immunities

Powers Federal Government Coin money Regulate the economy and foreign and interstate commerce Declare war Manage national military Direct foreign relations Establish Post Offices States (RESERVED) Issue Licences Create local level of govt Regulate intrastate commerce Hold elections Ratify amendments Conduct social policymaking Establish local governments

Concurrent Powers Granted to Congress but not denied by courts –Held by both state and federal gov’ts –How many can you name???? Questions of fed/state authority decided by courts

Shared (Concurrent) Powers Make and enforce laws Collect taxes Maintain courts Allocate money for public needs Build roads Law enforcement Charter banks and corporations

Evolution of federalism Over time, system has moved from Dual (layer cake) Federalism to Cooperative (marble cake) Federalism.

Vocab to Know Dual Federalism –Layer Cake Federalism Cooperative Federalism

Figure 3.2 Intergovernmental Relations Today Fiscal Federalism

Intergovernmental Relations Today

Fiscal Federalism continued –The Grant System: Distributing the Federal Pie –Categorical –Block –Mandates