Federalism
The foundation of the
American Political System
Forms of Government
 Unitary: a centralized governmental system
where sub-divisional governments exercise
only those powers granted them by the central
government (very popular system world-wide)
 Confederal: a system of government
consisting of a league of independent states
each having essentially sovereign power. The
central government’s powers are granted by the
individual member states
 Federal: see next slide
Federal System
 Governmental system where power is
divided, usually by a written constitution,
between central and regional (sub-division)
governments.
Separation of Powers
 Enumerated: (expressed/delegated) central gov.
power direct from constitution
 Implied: implied or reasonably inferred.
(necessary and proper clause)
 Concurrent: held jointly by central and subdivisional governments
 Reserved: those powers saved for the states
 Inherent: powers of the national gov. (e.g.
foreign affairs) that do not depend upon
constitutional grants, but grow out of the very
existence of the national government
Types of Federalism
 Dual federalism: ..
 Cooperative federalism: …
 New Federalism: …
Types of Federalism
 Competitive federalism: ..
 Permissive federalism: …
 Marble Cake Federalism: …
Federal Govt. vs. States
 Federal govt. and State conflicts usually
involve conflicts of interest vis-à-vis the
legitimization of demands
(e.g. environment v. commerce); or...
 Conflicts of management relating the
administration of cooperative programs
such as welfare.
Advantages of Federalism
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Federalism checks the growth of tyranny.
Federalism allows unity without uniformity.
Federalism encourages experimentation.
Federalism keeps government closer to the
people.
Formal Constitutional
Framework
 The national government has only those powers
delegated to it by the Constitution.
 The national government is supreme.
 The state governments have residual powers;
meaning those neither assigned to the national
government nor denied to the states.
 Some powers are specifically denied to both the
national government and the state governments.
Delegated National Powers
 National Supremacy
 War Powers
 The power to tax and spend (also a
concurrent power)
Powers Denied to the States
 Making treaties with foreign governments.
 Authorizing private persons to prey on the
shipping and commerce of other nations.
 Coining money, issuing bills of credit, or making
anything but gold and silver coin legal tender in
payment of debts.
 Taxing imports or exports.
 Taxing foreign ships.
 Keeping troops or ships in time of peace.
 Engaging in war.
Interstate Relations
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Full faith and credit
Privileges and immunities
Extradition
Interstate compacts
Types of Federal Grants
 Categorical-formula grants: funds are allocated
by formula and subject to federal conditions,
usually states must provide some additional
funding
 Project grants: Congress appropriates a certain
sum which is allocated to based on applications
from those wishing to participate
 Block grants: broad grants for prescribed
activities with few strings attached
Goals of Federal Grants
 To supply state & local gov’t. with revenue
 To establish minimum national standards
for such things as highways, the
environment, etc.
 To equalize resources among the states
 To attack national problems, yet minimize
the growth of federal agencies