Download Federalism/Unit Notes - Troup County School System

The Federal System
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:
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Coin money
Postal System
Maintain military
Declare War
Regulate interstate and international commerce
Immigration
Negotiate treaties
How can we remember
expressed powers?
Expressed =
Verb
1.to put (thought) into words; utter
or state
2.to show, manifest, or reveal
Concurrent Powers
• Powers shared by the national and state
governments
• Examples:
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Protects civil rights and liberties
Taxes
Provide for public safety and health
Establish courts
Punish lawbreakers
Borrow money
Construct and maintain roads
How can we remember concurrent
powers?
Concur =
Verb:
to cooperate; work
together; combine;
be associated
Or…
to coincide; occur
at the same time
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:
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Establish local governments
Establish schools
Regulate marriage, divorce, and adoptions
Regulate intrastate commerce
Provide fire and police protection
Conduct elections
Enact license requirements
How can we remember reserved
powers?
Reserve =
Verb
1.to keep back or save
for future use, disposal,
treatment, etc.
2.to retain or secure by
express stipulation.
3.to set apart for a
particular use,
purpose, service, etc.
Why is federalism a good thing?
• Encourages political participation
• Promotes democracy
• States are unified and unique
**** YOU NEED TO KNOW THESE
THREE REASONS***
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
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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