1. Federalism

2. Federalism What is Federalism?
Power is constitutionally divided between a central government and regional governments (states)
Most democracies are Unitarian: central government has complete power over constituent units

3. Why Federalism? Hamilton:
Prevent Tyranny of government by dividing power between nation and state
More opportunities for citizen participation
Allows states to experiment with their own laws

4. Why Federalism? Also, only choice framers had
States were not going to give up all of their power to a central government
States were very different and had different economies
Is and was a big country
Needed different governments

5. Evolution of Federalism
Original Idea:
States would do most of what needed to be done
National government would have certain “enumerated” or “express” powers
Look at Article I, Section 8 of Constitution
States were the most important entity into the 20th century (10th amendment)

6. Make a Three Column Chart
What decisions do you believe your parents or guardians should make for you?
What decisions should you be able to make yourself?
What decisions should be made cooperatively?

7. Analyze your responses
Did every student in the class have the same perspective about who should make certain decisions?
Have you and your parents or guardians ever had a conflict over who gets to make certain decisions?
Why is it important that some decisions are made exclusively by parents or guardians?

8. Should the States or the Federal Government:
admit new states
provide for public safety
borrow money
establish and maintain schools
negotiate treaties with foreign countries
protect public health
determine the qualifications of voters
set up a post office
set rules for immigration
maintain the state militia (aka the National Guard)
declare and engage in war
conduct elections
print and coin money
govern marriage laws
maintain an army, navy, and air force
regulate interstate and foreign commerce
regulate intrastate commerce
punish lawbreakers
levy and collect taxes
protect the rights of citizens
set traffic standards

9. Federalism: National, State, and Concurrent Powers