Federalism The foundation of the American Political System

Forms of Government §Unitary: a centralized governmental system where sub-divisional governments exercise only those powers granted them by the central government (very popular system world-wide) §Confederal: a system of government consisting of a league of independent states each having essentially sovereign power. The central government’s powers are granted by the individual member states §Federal: see next slide

Federal System §Governmental system where power is divided, usually by a written constitution, between central and regional (sub-division) governments.

Separation of Powers §Enumerated: (expressed/delegated) central gov. power direct from constitution §Implied: implied or reasonably inferred. (necessary and proper clause) §Concurrent: held jointly by central and sub- divisional governments §Reserved: those powers saved for the states §Inherent: powers of the national gov. (e.g. foreign affairs) that do not depend upon constitutional grants, but grow out of the very existence of the national government

Types of Federalism §Dual federalism:.. §Cooperative federalism: … §New Federalism: …

Types of Federalism §Competitive federalism:.. §Permissive federalism: … §Marble Cake Federalism: …

Federal Govt. vs. States §Federal govt. and State conflicts usually involve conflicts of interest vis-à-vis the legitimization of demands (e.g. environment v. commerce); or... §Conflicts of management relating the administration of cooperative programs such as welfare.

Advantages of Federalism §Federalism checks the growth of tyranny. §Federalism allows unity without uniformity. §Federalism encourages experimentation. §Federalism keeps government closer to the people.

Formal Constitutional Framework §The national government has only those powers delegated to it by the Constitution. §The national government is supreme. §The state governments have residual powers; meaning those neither assigned to the national government nor denied to the states. §Some powers are specifically denied to both the national government and the state governments.

Delegated National Powers §National Supremacy §War Powers §The power to tax and spend (also a concurrent power)

Powers Denied to the States §Making treaties with foreign governments. §Authorizing private persons to prey on the shipping and commerce of other nations. §Coining money, issuing bills of credit, or making anything but gold and silver coin legal tender in payment of debts. §Taxing imports or exports. §Taxing foreign ships. §Keeping troops or ships in time of peace. §Engaging in war.

Interstate Relations §Full faith and credit §Privileges and immunities §Extradition §Interstate compacts

Types of Federal Grants §Categorical-formula grants: funds are allocated by formula and subject to federal conditions, usually states must provide some additional funding §Project grants: Congress appropriates a certain sum which is allocated to based on applications from those wishing to participate §Block grants: broad grants for prescribed activities with few strings attached

Goals of Federal Grants §To supply state & local gov’t. with revenue §To establish minimum national standards for such things as highways, the environment, etc. §To equalize resources among the states §To attack national problems, yet minimize the growth of federal agencies