1. Checks/Balances
Why do we have a system with a complex process of checks and balances and separation of powers?
How does it operate?
What are the three branches of government and what are their roles in American politics?
Question of whether we want a divided government.
This complex system causes more problems for democracy according to Hudson.

2. Executive branch – enforce the law not make it
Executive branch – enforce the law not make it. President appoints judges(with Congress’ approval), checks the judicial.
Legislative branch – create laws, most have a degree in law. Have the power to impeach a president, checks the executive.
Judicial – interprets laws. Often considered the weak link.

3. Federalism and Its Alternatives
What Is Federalism?
Government powers are divided between a central government and regional, or sub divisional governments.
The powers of both must be specified in constitution (Only 11 Countries in World).
The term “federal government” refers to the national, or central government.
On-going struggle for power between states and federal government.
“all other powers reserved to the states”
Why are powers of federal govt. more narrowly tailored?
Key distinction is those powers have to be stated in the countries constitution. Most countries who claim to be federalist, aren’t due to this distinction. Realitively straight forward form…shared governmental powers. Created as a hybrid to federalist/anitfederalist belief system. Pro – shared power: con – ongoing conflicts. Major political battle of Bush’s term…No Child Left Behind Act, no national education system (contradicted constitution). Unfunded mandate  telling states to do something, but not allocating money for it.

4. Federalism and Its Alternatives (cont’d)
A Unitary System {most nations in the world}
Centralized governmental system.
Can create sub-governmental units, but can do away with at any time.
China, Cuba, France, and North Korea
A Confederate System
League of independent sovereign states linked together by a central government that has only limited powers.
Confederate states of America-Articles of Confederation
Unitary  most popular system in the world.
Confederate  least popular system.

5. An Optimal Choice For the United States?
Federalism:
An Optimal Choice For the United States?
Advantages of Federalism
Government is closer to the people and allows them to participate at the local level.
Size of US makes unitary system near impossible.
Provides more outlets for citizen participation.
Allows experimentation with innovative policies and programs at the state or local level that in turn may serve as models for Federal programs.
Allows for regional variation based on culture.
Federalism = people are closer to the government. Shares power, prevents tyrannical government forms.

6. An Optimal Choice For the United States? (cont’d)
Federalism:
An Optimal Choice For the United States? (cont’d)
Drawbacks to Federalism
The smaller the political unit the more likely it will be dominated by a single political group (ex. Segregation in South).
National powers may be expanded at expense of states.
States Laws lack uniformity.
States laws can clash with federal laws.
Too many governmental units- There are almost 90,000 local governments in the US.
Supremacy clause  federal government takes the cake over state government.
Causes conflict if the law set is different at different levels. Layers of government cause conflict and confusion when the people need something from the government.

7. What is Best System for US: Small Group Activity
Please break up into small groups of 3 students near where you are sitting.
Within this group each of you needs to make a case for one of the systems of government we have discussed being the best for the US:
Left (Unitary System)
Middle (Federalism)
Right (Confederate System)
Take a few minutes to think through your argument and communicate with your group.

8. I-Clicker Review Question
Which form of government is utilized most across the globe?
Federalism
Unitary System
Confederate System

11. Is Federalism a Challenge to Democracy?
Hudson argues that Federalism and the separation of powers system has made the government inefficient, unresponsive, and unaccountable to the public.
Hudson argues that all of these institutional checks and balances makes government unresponsive to the public and slow moving.
Government cannot enact policies that majority of public opinion wants.

12. Hudson also argues that this divided system makes it difficult for the public to hold elected officials accountable.
Will utilize “spinning to blame each other for faults and “credit claiming” to take credit for positive outcomes.
Difficult to determine who is responsible for prosperity or demise.
Congress and President make policy jointly, but held accountable separately.
Hudson argues that decline in party strength has increases these issues.

13. Any Solutions to this Trend?
Move to a unitary system of government (parliamentary form of government).
Strengthen political parties by giving parties more control over nominations by eliminating primaries, and making parties differentiate themselves from each other so that citizens can make a sound choice.
Use Party-slate voting pattern to increase party strength.

14. Immigration and Federalism
Is Immigration a Federal or State Responsibility?
Please debate this issue with someone who
differs with you on this issue- you may have to
move in order to do so.