1. A Level Government & Politics
Federalism
A Level Government & Politics
Students should be able to:
Understand the Constitutional foundations of Federalism
Identify the different stages of Federalism and their characteristics
Compare and contrast Federalism with the UK

2. One of the main themes of Federalism is decentralisation
The theory by which political power is divided between a national and state government, each having their own clear jurisdiction
One of the main themes of Federalism is decentralisation

3. Federalism and the Constitution
Enumerated Powers
Concurrent Powers
Implied Powers
Elastic Clause
10th Amendment
“Congress shall make all laws necessary and proper”
All rights now mentioned here are reserved to the States

4. Cooperative Federalism
An Ever Changing Concept
Federalism is an ever changing concept, despite some of the Constitutional provisions for it. However, there are three key stages of federalism that have been defined
Dual Federalism
Cooperative Federalism
New Federalism

5. Dual Federalism 1780-1920 Large Focus on States Rights
Associated with a collection of ‘unknown presidents’
Large Focus on States Rights
Federal Government limited to Money, War and Peace
Layer Cake Federalism
Divisions in Political Power are Clear Cut

6. Cooperative Federalism
1930s – 1960s
Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson
Majority of the Presidents were Democrats
New Departments
Defence (1949), Health, Education, & Welfare (1953), Transportation (1966)
Large Increase in Categorical Grants
Grants allocated to states by Federal Government for specific projects
Marble Cake
Division in Political Power are less clear cut

7. New Federalism 1970s-2000 Shift back to State Power
Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush and Clinton
Majority of the Presidents were Republicans
Shift back to State Power
The Federal Government did not create the States; the States created the Federal Government
Large Increase in Block Grants
Grants allocated to states by Federal Government for non specific purposes or general areas

8. Why does Federalism Change?
Federalism adapts to the country as it changes: This is down to several reasons
Westward Expansion
The US grows from 13 states to 50, so federalism changes
Population Growth
4 Million people in 1790, to 275 Million in 2000
Industrialization
As industry advances, Government must keep up with regulation
Communication
It becomes easier to communicate, meaning as the nation grows it shrinks.
Events
Events such as the Depression force the role of the Federal Government to increase

9. Why does Federalism Change?
Foreign Policy
Second World War and subsequent wars require a huge amount of central planning, so an increased role for the Federal government
Supreme Court Rulings
Any ruling on the constitution can change federalism, such as rulings on electoral law, civil rights or homosexuality
Constitutional Amendments
The passage of amendments can fundamentally alter the powers of the States or Federal Government

10. Evaluation of Federalism
Pros
Cons
Permits Diversity
Can hide economic and social inequalities
Pluralistic
Frustrates the national will, making solutions to problems harder
Increased protection of individual rights
Constant source of conflict between states and government
States becomes ‘policy labs’ e.g. Pollution permits in California
Overly bureaucratic, therefore creating a costly system that is resistant to change
Well suited to geographically large nation

11. Comparison with the UK HOWEVER:
The UK does not have a federal system of government. The UK is however a unitary state, that is highly centralised
HOWEVER:
With devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the passage of EVEL rules, is the UK becoming a more federal country?

12. A Level Government & Politics
Federalism
A Level Government & Politics
Students should be able to:
Understand the Constitutional foundations of Federalism
Identify the different stages of Federalism and their characteristics
Compare and contrast Federalism with the UK