FEDERALISM

FEDERALISM

• What is Federalism?

• Power is constitutionally divided between a central government and regional governments (provinces/states)

• Most democracies are Unitarian: central government has complete power over constituent units

WHY FEDERALISM?

• Hamilton:

1. Prevent Tyranny of government by dividing power between nation and state

2. More opportunities for citizen participation

3. Allows states to experiment with their own laws

WHY FEDERALISM?

• Also, only choice framers had

• States were not going to give up all of their power to a central government

• States were very different and had different economies

• Is and was a big country

• Needed different governments

EVOLUTION OF FEDERALISM

• Original Idea:

• States would do most of what needed to be done

• National government would have certain “enumerated” or “express” powers

• Look at Article I, Section 8 of Constitution

• States were the most important entity into the 20th century (10th amendment)

MAKE A THREE COLUMN CHART

• What decisions do you believe your parents or guardians should make for you?

• What decisions should you be able to make yourself?

• What decisions should be made cooperatively?

ANALYZE YOUR RESPONSES

• Did every student in the class have the same perspective about who should make certain decisions?

• Have you and your parents or guardians ever had a conflict over who gets to make certain decisions?

• Why is it important that some decisions are made exclusively by parents or guardians?

• declare and engage in war • conduct elections • print and coin money • govern marriage laws • maintain an army, navy, and air force • regulate inter-province and foreign

commerce • regulate intra-provincial commerce • punish lawbreakers • levy and collect taxes • protect the rights of citizens• set traffic standards

• admit new provinces • provide for public safety • borrow money • establish and maintain schools • negotiate treaties with foreign

countries • protect public health • determine the qualifications of voters • set up a post office • set rules for immigration • set education policies

SHOULD THE STATES OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT:

FEDERALISM: NATIONAL, STATE, AND CONCURRENT POWERS

HOW FEDERALISM HAS CHANGED

• Originally: Dual Federalism

• Each level has its own specified powers

• Analogous to a “Layer Cake”

• Now: Cooperative Federalism

• Shared powers, not separate

• More like a “Marble Cake”

• Need a proper balance between Centripetal and Centrifugal Power (the Goldilock’s Dilemma)

EVOLUTION OF FEDERALISM

• In 20th Century the scope of national government expanded dramatically

• Why?

• National effort required for the World Wars, the Great Depression, etc.

• How has the world changed since 1867?

• Technological, Industrial, and Economic Growth required organization and oversight on a national level