1. Federalism

2. Points to Consider
Why did the US move away from its original system of dual federalism?
To what extent was there a backlash against the growing power of Washington in the 1970s?
By what label would you characterise US federalism today?
Have the complexities of the modern world made it inevitable that the focus is on national politics?

3. Task
Can you think of at least 4 powers that are delegated to the Federal Government only?
Can you think of any powers which are delegated to the State Governments only?
Can you think of any powers which are shared?

4. Division of power in American Politics
Delegated Power
Declare War
Make Treaties
Coin money
Regulate Interstate commerce

5. Division of power in American Politics
Concurrent Powers (Power shared by the federal and state powers)
Taxes
Public Health
Auto Safety
Drugs

6. Division of power in American Politics
Reserved Powers (State only)
Draw electoral districts
Interstate commerce
Creation of local units
Police powers

7. Make sure these terms are right
Unitary
Power flows from one source
Devolution
Some redistribution of power from the centre, power can be returned
Confederacies
Regional authorities exercise the power and central control is weak i.e. Switzerland
Federal States
Power shared between different tiers
Guaranteed spheres of responsibility

8. Benefits of Federalism
Each State has it’s own distinctive history and traditions
Have recently improved quality of services and political institutions have become more efficient
Involvement in the political process
By securing election in a particular State, politicians can build up their reputation
State Governors and Senators are favourites to ascend to the Presidency

9. Benefits of Federalism cont….
50 States are important in their own right – USA too big to govern centrally
Relationship with Washington is one of negotiation and compromise
Only on major issues such as racial segregation has Washington forced the States to comply
States are important
Motto of Illinois “State Sovereignty, National Unity”
State laws are encountered much more frequently than federal ones

10. Development of Federalism
US becomes a World Power
Increase in the budget
Great Depression
Federal Government intervened to deal with the social and economic problems
FDR’s New Deal – Direct Work programmes and various schemes for businessmen
Some rural state legislatures, ignores the demands of urban areas

11. Increase in Federal Govts. power
Constitutional Amendments
14th Amendment provided ‘equal protection’ of the law to all citizens
16th Amendment – Federal Govt. power to raise Income Tax
Decisions of the Supreme Court
Court decisions have allowed a considerable expansion of national intervention
The Financial Relationship
Financial base of Fed Govt expanded after 16th
Most taxes go to Washington, a smaller amount to the States and less again to local Govt.

12. Grant-in-aid Programmes
Transfers of money from Federal Governments to States and localities
In order to finance state policies and programmes
State intervention in Education, Health and Social Welfare

13. Differing conceptions of Federalism
Dual Federalsim
Two Levels of Government independent of each other
Clearly defined sphere of influence
The Nation-centred form was triumphant on the battlefields of the American Civil War of the 1860’s.
A Conservative view, with limited role for Washington
Notion fell apart after the Gt. Depression

14. Co-operative Federalism
Partnership of different levels of Government
Grodzins “The American System is a Marble Cake” – an inseparable mixture of differently coloured ingredients
JFK – Promised to get the country moving with state money
Creative Federalism – an increase of State Grants - LBJ

15. Categorical Grants
Grants made from the central Government to states and localities for specific purposes
$7.5 bn in 1960 in grants to $32 bn in 1970