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Federalism: Powers and Types Explained

The document discusses the federal system of government in the United States. It divides power between the national and state governments. The Constitution divides powers into expressed, concurrent, and reserved. Expressed powers are granted specifically to the national government. Concurrent powers are shared between national and state governments. Reserved powers belong exclusively to state governments. The federal system has changed over time from dual federalism to cooperative federalism to regulated federalism to new federalism. State governments must support a republican form of government. State powers include legislatures, governors, and court systems. Local governments provide services and include counties, cities, and special districts.

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59 views26 pages

Federalism: Powers and Types Explained

The document discusses the federal system of government in the United States. It divides power between the national and state governments. The Constitution divides powers into expressed, concurrent, and reserved. Expressed powers are granted specifically to the national government. Concurrent powers are shared between national and state governments. Reserved powers belong exclusively to state governments. The federal system has changed over time from dual federalism to cooperative federalism to regulated federalism to new federalism. State governments must support a republican form of government. State powers include legislatures, governors, and court systems. Local governments provide services and include counties, cities, and special districts.

Uploaded by

ouleea ugustine
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Federal System

Unit 2
What is it?

 System of government created by the


U.S. Constitution that divides
governmental power between national
and state governments.
The Constitutional Division of
Powers
 The Constitution divides powers into 3
categories:
 Expressed
 Concurrent

 Reserved
Expressed Powers
 Powers specifically granted to the national
government
 Examples:
 Coin money
 Postal System
 Maintain military
 Declare War
 Regulate interstate and international commerce
 Immigration
 Negotiate treaties
Concurrent Powers
 Powers shared by the national and state
governments
 Examples:
 Protects civil rights and liberties
 Taxes
 Provide for public safety and health
 Establish courts
 Punish lawbreakers
 Borrow money
 Construct and maintain roads
Reserved Powers
 Powers belonging to state governments
 Comes from 10th Amendment – “powers not
specifically delegated to the national government are
reserved for the states”
 Examples:
 Establish local governments
 Establish schools
 Regulate marriage, divorce, and adoptions
 Regulate intrastate commerce
 Provide fire and police protection
 Conduct elections
 Enact license requirements
Why is federalism a good thing?

 Encourages political participation


 Promotes democracy
 States are unified and unique
What are the drawbacks?

 Inconsistency between states


 Tension between national and state
governments
Types of Federalism

Federalism has changed over the course


of American history …
 Dual Federalism (1790s – 1930s)
 Cooperative Federalism (1930s – 1950s)
 Regulated Federalism (1960s)
 New Federalism (1970s -1980s)
Dual Federalism

 Two levels of government have clearly


defined and separate responsibilities

National
Government

State Government
Cooperative Federalism

 Era of shared power between federal,


state and local governments

Like marble cake,


the levels of
government are
intertwined and
less clearly defined
Regulated Federalism

 Huge increase in federal involvement in


state and local governments

N A T I O N A L

State
Local
New Federalism

 Power is shifted back to the states


during Nixon and Reagan presidencies

Power Back to the


states
State Governments

 U.S. Constitution has one requirement


for states …
state constitutions must support a
State legislatures

 Responsibilities: make laws, levy taxes,


and create budgets
Apportionment

 The distribution of seats in the U.S.


House of Representatives and state
legislatures
Gerrymandering

 When lawmakers draw district


boundaries in a manner that benefits
them or their party
Redistricting

 Redrawing of voting districts to reflect


population changes
State Governors

 Manage the executive branch for the


state

Georgia’s Governor:
Nathan Deal
State Court System
 Trial Courts: cases that effect daily lives of
citizens
 High level trial courts: major criminal cases
and law suits
 Lower Level trial courts:
 Municipal Courts – minor violations, divorce,
adoptions
 Small Claims Courts – disputes involving small
amounts of $
 Appeals Courts: cases that are appealed to
reverse the decision of trial courts
Local Governments
County Government

 Judges
 Tax commissioner
 Sheriff’s Office
 Health services
Mayor-Council System

 Divides power between an elected


mayor and city council
Commission System

 Qualified professionals head city


commissions
 Skilled professionals make decisions
Council-Manager System

 Combines democratically elected council


with professional city management
Special-Purpose Districts

 Provides a specific function


 For example: School boards

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