AP GOVERNMENT
Chapter 3: Federalism
Origins: The idea of “federalism” or a “federal system” arose during the
Constitutional Convention. Federalists believed power at the national level would
unify and strengthen the county, while the Antifederalists believed a strong national
government would overshadow the states.
Definition: A constitutional arrangement that distributes power between a central
government and subdivisional governments (states).
 Dual Federalism – (“layer cake federalism”) Constitution gives a limited list
of powers to the nat’l govt and leaving the rest to sovereign states.
 Cooperative Federalism – stresses federalism as a system of
intergovernmental relationships
 Marble Cake Federalism – federalism is a mixed set of responsibilities in
which all levels of govt are engaged
 Competitive Federalism – the nat’l govt and local govt as competitive
entities
 Permissive Federalism – implies the sharing of powers between nat’l and
local govt by permission of the federal govt
 New Federalism – favors power of federal govt to be limited in favor of
broad powers reserved for the states (Nixon and Reagan)
Federalism is the balance between:
Unitary Govt – one central government has authority over nation. There are
no levels of govt with which it shares its power. (France, China, Israel are
examples)
Confederation – Association of states with some authority delegated to the
nat’l govt, however states retain most of the power. (Articles of Confederation,
Confederate States of America)
Advantages to Federalism:
 allows unity without uniformity
 encourages political experimentation
 encourages pluralism - keeps people closer to their reps
 prevents tyranny – even if all 3 branches are one party, local and state govt
can function somewhat independently
Disadvantage to Federalism:
 dividing power makes it more difficult for govt to respond quickly to nat’l
problems (Hurricane Katrina)
 division of powers makes if difficult to hold elected officials accountable
 variation in policies creates redundancies and inefficiencies
Powers of the Nat’l Govt:
 Delegated powers – power to regulate interstate commerce, appropriate
funds
 Implied powers – create banks (“Necessary and Proper Clause”)
 Inherent powers – (in dealing with foreign policy it acts as a unitary govt)
Four Constitutional Pillars for its ultimate authority:
 National supremacy article
 War power
 Commerce clause
 The power to tax and spend for the general welfare
Powers of the State:
 Reserved powers – create schools and local governments (cities)
 Concurrent powers – power to levy taxes and regulate commerce at the
state level
Constitutional Limits and Obligations (restraints on state govts): States
cannot:
 make treaties with foreign govts
 authorize private citizens to interfere with shipping/commerce of other
nations
 coin money, issue bills of credit, use gold or silver for debts
 tax imports or exports
 keep troops or ships of war in time of peace (National Guard)
 engage in war
Grants – funding that comes from the federal government
 Categorical Grants – funding for programs narrow in scope that includes
a pre-determined formula i.e. school lunches, highway construction.
There are “strings attached” – reporting requirements, etc.
 Block Grants – funding for services such as social and welfare programs
or education. Less stringent. States are given the $$ to allocate as they
wish.