Download Federalism

American Federal Government
– Federalism
What is this Federalism?
• Definition
– A system of government in which power is
divided, by a constitution, between a central
government and regional governments
• United States
– Federal, state, local, and special district
governments
Are we the oddballs again?
• Federal System: The national and state
governments share responsibility with varying
levels of strength
• Unitary System: The national government is
selfish and wants all the power…seriously though,
in these systems the national government dictates
all government action
So, who decided this?
• Please don’t tell me that you forgot last
weeks lecture already…please??
– Expressed powers (Art. I, Sect. 8) vs. reserved
powers (10th Amendment)
• Police Power: States regulate
• Concurrent Power: Joint regulation
Has it always been that way…NO!
• Evolution of American Federalism
– Dual federalism was our main system until the
late-1930’s…then the courts got involved.
– Courts granted more power to national
government
– Result: Cooperative (“marble cake”) federalism
• Intertwining of federal and state functions &
resources
Okay, its not JUST the courts fault
• Balancing Federal and State
Power/Responsibilities
• Growth of the Federal Government: Why?
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Interpretation of the Constitution
Civil War Amendments
16th Amendment: Taxation
The New Deal
World Wars
Brown v. Board of Education (1954), Eisenhower, &
Little Rock
Mmm…marble cake
• Current Patterns
– Grants-in-Aid
• Categorical grants: Here’s the money…but
• Block grants: Go have a good time
– $300 billion increase in 50 years
– Does anyone see a potential problem?
– Anyone…Bueller…Bueller…
Read my lips…this is going to be a problem
– Oops, someone (everyone) forgot that with an
increase in federal spending and regulation
comes an increase in ____
– “Unfunded mandates”
• Legislation passed by Congress which
requires states to take actions but which
provides no funding to the states
• Resulting in higher state taxes
Doing a half-a$$ed job
– Goal: Help the lower-class through re-distribution of
wealth
– Means: Placing mandatory policies on all states in order
to assure uniform treatment
– Problem: Who is going to run on the campaign of
raising taxes….Nobody…that’s who.
– Consequence: States cut funding in other areas and
people develop more negative views of national
programs
Federalism:
Which Level do Americans Prefer?
Please be more negative Matthew
• Goes back to the fundamental question of
what is our political culture and do all 50
states believe in the same ideas
• Different states have different beliefs
– what happens when the national government
makes states do something they don’t want to
do
– Welfare: Sticks versus Carrots
But are States Any Better?
• Maybe…but have you ever gone to the
DMV…maybe not.
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More specific problems
Better understand v. More knowledge
Civic engagement increase?
GOP (1980) v. GOP (today)