National and State Powers

The Division of Powers Federalism: system in which the national government shares power with state/local governments. Federalism: system in which the national government shares power with state/local governments. State governments have the authority to make final decisions over many governmental actions. State governments have the authority to make final decisions over many governmental actions. The most persistent source of political conflict is between national and state governments. The most persistent source of political conflict is between national and state governments.

Lines of Power in Systems of Government Copyright © 2011 Cengage

Lines of Power in Systems of Government

Federalism: Good or Bad?

The Delegated Powers Expressed/Enumerated powers: directly stated in the Constitution Expressed/Enumerated powers: directly stated in the Constitution – Levy taxes, coin money, declare war, raise an army and navy, regulate interstate commerce. Implied powers: derived from the Necessary and Proper (elastic) clause; powers required to carry out the expressed powers. Implied powers: derived from the Necessary and Proper (elastic) clause; powers required to carry out the expressed powers. – National Banking System, Military Draft, Health Care, – National Banking System, Military Draft, Health Care, education, transportation Inherent powers: powers exercised simply because it is a government. Inherent powers: powers exercised simply because it is a government. – Immigration and citizenship, Diplomacy

The States and the Nation Reserved powers: belong strictly to the states, any power not delegated to the national government, reserved to the people, or denied them by the Constitution (10 th Amendment). Reserved powers: belong strictly to the states, any power not delegated to the national government, reserved to the people, or denied them by the Constitution (10 th Amendment). – Police Powers: Heath, morals, safety, welfare – Establish local gov’t, Professional Licensure, Education – The supremacy clause makes U.S. acts and treaties supreme. Concurrent powers: shared powers exercised independently. Concurrent powers: shared powers exercised independently. – Legal code, tax, set up courts, eminent domain Denied Powers: forbidden to both national and state governments. Denied Powers: forbidden to both national and state governments. – FED: tax exports, interfere with state responsibilities – STATE: treaties/alliances, coining money, titles of nobility – BOTH: take civil liberties (Habeas Corpus, ex post facto, Bill of Rights)

Obligations of the States Conduct and finance national elections Conduct and finance national elections Ratify Amendments Ratify Amendments Respect National Supremacy Respect National Supremacy