1. AMERICAN FEDERALISM September 26, 2002

2. Level of Centralization (Confederation) Large Unitary Gov’t Federalism Decentralized Federation Centralized Federation US 2002 Small Unitary Gov’ts US 1789

3. Indicators of Centralization n size of the federal government –expenditures, programs, budgets n federal grants-in-aid, mandates –federal inducements/requirements that states undertake certain actions n federal regulation of interstate commerce

4. Centralization in Context n examples of differences in the exercise of powers reserved for the states –the death penalty –right to die (e.g. assisted suicide) –abortion –gun control –term limits on state representatives/senators –initiatives

5. American Federalism n explanation of centralization – idea of one nation » E Pluribus Unum » American civil war » citizen demands for rights to be extended equally across the nation – intrastate (vs. interstate) federalism » representation of state interests within the national government as opposed to representation through relations between state governments and national government » the Senate!

6. The New Federalism n the devolution revolution –1980-2002 –peaked in 1994 with Contract with America

7. The “New” Federalism 1980-2000 (Confederation) Large Unitary Gov’t Federalism Decentralized Federation Centralized Federation US 1980 Small Unitary Gov’ts

8. The Devolution Revolution n causes and underlying issues –about limiting government –still about issues relating to racialized politics »e.g. welfare reform n Ted Lowi –devolution is about dual federalism and dual citizenship –proponents of devolution believe... »states rights should predominate on issues of race, class and gender »this was the case from 1930-1960 but was abrogated during the 1960s and 1970s »devolution is an attempt to return to the proper state of things

9. The New Federalism n main message about federalism... –not simply a technical issue about which gov’t is best placed to do what –involves philosophical questions regarding the overall role of government