Download Federalism - West Branch Local School District

Federalism
A governmental system where power is shared
between state and national governments
Powers of our National Government or
“Delegated Powers”
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1. Maintain Army/Navy; Declare War
2. Postal System
3. Standard Weights & Measures-Copyright-Patents
4. Regulate foreign and interstate commerce
5. Conduct Foreign Relations
6. Establish Federal Courts below the Supreme Court
7. Coin $$
Powers “Reserved” For the States
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1. Est. Local Government
2. Est. Schools
3. Regulate Intrastate Commerce
4. Marriage
5. Administer Elections
6. Regulate Business & Corporations
7. Protect the public’s health, welfare, and morals
What Happens When there is a Conflict?
 Supremacy Clause: “The Constitution and the
Laws of the United States which shall be made in
Pursuance thereof, and all treaties made…under
the Authority of the United States, shall be the
supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every
State shall be bound thereby.” (Page 97)
 Article VI, Section 2
 The National Government Wins!!!
Powers Shared Between States and National
Governments “Concurrent Powers”
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Levy Taxes
Borrow $$$
Spend for General Welfare
Establish Courts
Enact and Enforce Laws
What Can’t The Federal Government
Do? “Denied Powers”
 May not suspend “Habeas Corpus”
 Cannot punish a person without a Trial
 Cannot tax exports; Can however regulate who a
State Trades with
 Cannot favor one state over another
 Cannot spend Government $$ without the Consent
of Congress
 No Titles of Nobility
Powers Forbidden to the States!
 Without the Consent of
Congress, a state cannot
tax goods entering or
leaving the state except for
small fees to cover
inspection costs. Profits
from a tax on interstate
commerce go to the federal
government.
 Only the federal
government may make
treaties and carry out
measures for national
defense.
Obligations Between State and Federal
Government
 Nation to States
 State to Nation
 1) Guarantee each state
a republican form of
Government.
 2) Must protect states
from invasion and
domestic violence. (An
attack on one state is
considered an attack on
the U.S.)
 3) Must respect the
territorial integrity of
each state!
 1) Conduct and pay for
elections of all national
government officials.
(Senators, President etc)
 2) Play a role in
Amending the
Constitution.
How do the states stay on the Same
Page?
 The National Governor’s Association
 1) Governor’s come together to share idea’s about
how to solve problems.
 2) They influence National Policy by pooling their
collective power to accomplish a set of goals.
Examples: Health Care, Growing Unemployment,
Education, and a burgeoning Welfare System.
Obligations of one State to Another
 1) Give full faith and credit to the laws, records,
and court decisions of other states.
 2) Give one another’s citizens all the privileges and
immunities of their own citizens.
 3) Extradition of Criminals who flee over state
boarders.
Do States Argue?
Yes!!
 How do they solve their problems?
 1) Interstate Compacts: Negotiated agreements
between states, often over boundary disputes.
 2) Interstate lawsuits. Heard in the Supreme
Court.
 Examples include: Water Rights, Pollution, and
Boundary Lines.
Discussion Questions
 1) Explain how the concept of Federalism makes our
system more democratic and more responsive to the people.
 2) Only Congress has the power to admit new states. If
Puerto Rico wants to become our 51st State, should that
decision be solely up to Congress as our Constitution says or
should other people be involved? Explain your response.
 3) In the chapter 4 reading there was an opinion question
basically asking how should intrastate conflicts-like Ohio’s
tall smokestacks from electric plants creating acid rain in
New York-be solved? What is the best way to solve the
conflict or problem and still be fair to the states involved?