1. AP 03.1
Vocabulary
Unitary System
Confederal System
Federal System

2. Three Systems of Government
AP 03.1
Three Systems of Government
Why Federalism?

3. AP 03.1
Government in the U.S.A.
Rights and powers are reserved to the States by the Tenth Amendment unless expressly given to the federal government.
Governments: = 89,529
Federal = 1
State = 50
Local Governments
Counties = 3,034
Municipalities = 19,492
Townships = 16,519
Special Districts = 37,381
School Districts = 13,051

4. Government in the U.S.A. There are 196 countries in the world today!
AP 03.1
Government in the U.S.A.
There are 196 countries in the world today!
Each has its own system of government.
Types:
Unitary
Confederal
Federal

5. AP 03.1
Unitary System
Centralized government with ultimate authority in the hands of a central or national government
MOST COMMON FORM OF GOVERNMENT
Local governments only have those powers granted to them by central government
Central government provider of funds
Local governments may not have power to tax
Five Largest Unitary States by GDP
China, Japan, United Kingdom, France, Italy

6. AP 03.1
Confederal System
A league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign powers
Central government only handles those matters of common concern expressly delegated to it
European Union
Large body of European wide laws that all must follow
Freely travel among member states
Common currency for some states (Great Britain kept its own)

7. AP 03.1
Federal System
Federal system divides power between a national and lower level governments
Each government has distinct powers that the other cannot override.
Countries with federal form:
United States
Russian Federation
Mexico
Germany
India
Brazil
Australia

8. Why Federalism? A Practical solution: Other Arguments for Federalism:
Compromise – supporters knew without it Constitution wouldn’t be ratified
Retained state traditions and local power
Created national government to handle common problems
Other Arguments for Federalism:
Allows functions of Federal government to be farmed out
Large geographical areas make it impractical to govern from one place
Brings government closer to the people

9. AP 03.1
Benefits for the U.S.A.
State governments training ground for future national leaders
States can be testing grounds for new government initiatives
Unemployment compensation – Wisconsin
Air pollution controls – California
1996 Welfare Reform Act

10. Allowance for Political Subcultures
AP 03.1
Allowance for Political Subcultures
Very diverse political cultures based on:
Race,
Ethnic origin
Region
Wealth
Education
Religion
Sexual orientation
Subcultures would have less influence in a unitary system

11. Arguments Against Federalism
AP 03.1
Arguments Against Federalism
Smaller political units dominated by single party/group
Governments controlled by Democrats impeded Civil Rights legislation
Individual states differ in spending on various programs
Education
Criminal justice
Critics argue for increased federal legislation and oversight
National education policy and standards
Others see this as expansion of national power and expense of the states.

12. AP 03.1
Summary Questions
Define the terms unitary system, Confederal system, and federal system.
Explain the arguments for and against the concept of Federalism.