The Evolution of American Federalism

Three Organizational Schemes Confederation  What is it?  Pros/Cons?

Three Organizational Schemes Unitary Government  What is it?  Pros/Cons

Three Organizational Schemes Dual Federalism  What is it?

Federalism in the Constitution Senate Electoral College Article I, Section 8  Commerce Clause  Elastic Clause Article I, Section 10 Article IV, Supremacy Clause

Trend of Nationalization When? Why?  Modernization  Financial necessity  Political efficiency (collective action)  Competition between states  Political expediency

The Role of the Supreme Court McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) U.S. v. Lopez (1995) Printz v. U.S. (1997) Morrison v. U.S. (2001)

Pre-1930s 1930s-1960s1966-present Dual Federalism Cooperative Federalism New Federalism Categorical Aid – strict limits Project grantsFormula Grants Competitive applications Ex: National Science Foundation, Race to the Top No application Based on data / demography Ex: Medicaid, Title I Block grants Local / state discretion No application Broad area of focus Ex: public safety

Federalism Dual Federalism = roommates Cooperative Federalism= marriage  Crossover Sanctions – ex: drinking age  Crosscutting – conditions extended to all federal funds ex: Obama and sick leave New Federalism = it’s complicated Mandates  Unfunded mandates

Final Analysis--Benefits Mobilization of political activity. Prevents the dominance of “factions.” Encourages experimentation in states. Needs of diverse states are met.

Final Analysis--Disadvantages Confusion and fractured policy making Small, but motivated interest groups can block the majority. Diversity of policies creates inequalities.

Lt. green = 7, , dk green - $11,0000+

Politics of Devolution