Chapter 6 American Federalism

Federalism Constitutional divisions of power between the national government and states governments

Reasons for Federal System in U.S. Other systems were not ideal: –Unitary – too strong; similar to Britain –Confederal – too weak; similar to Articles Allows for differences among the States: –Unity, but not uniformity –More suitable for geographically large nation –More suitable for heterogeneous people

National Powers Three categories of delegated powers –Expressed (enumerated) The Congress shall have power... to raise and support armies... provide and maintain navy –Implied... provide and maintain an air force... provide and maintain an air force –Inherent Border control

State Powers The 10 th Amendment –Reserved Powers Police Powers –Health –Safety –Morals –General Welfare

Concurrent Powers Granted to congress, but not denied to the states –Taxing –Borrowing –Establishing law enforcement agencies

Obligations of State Governments Article IV –Full Faith and Credit Clause Must honor public acts, records and legal proceedings of other states –i.e. birth/marriage/death certificates and debts –Privileges and Immunities Clause Must grant the same rights and privileges to citizens of others states as they do their own –i.e. may not discriminate a citizen from another state –Extradition Governors must return suspects to the states in which they allegedly committed their crime –Interstate Compacts Requires consent of congress