Federalism• Federalism power is divided between one central
• In the US – Each level has certain powers of its own, independent
from the other
• Federalism was passed to settle dispute over who should have
Federalism & the Constitution
The Federal Government has
expressed powers specifically granted in the Constitution (tax, regulate commerce,
declare war, etc.)
The Federal Government has
implied powers from the necessary & proper
clause or “elastic clause” (ex: create a
national bank)The 10th Amendment
reserves powers to the states (ex: education, law enforcement, etc.)
The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law
of the land (National Supremacy
Clause)
Dual Federalism (1789-1932) Definition Federal and state governments
Narrow interpretation
Federal government only has jurisdiction if clear expressed in the Constitution (ex: coin money, foreign affairs)
State have greater role and
Criticisms of Dual Federalism• Positive:
– It does reflect the formal distribution
• Criticisms:– Not realistically describing the way the federal
– Did not take into account complex changes brought
Cooperative Federalism (1933-present) Definition National government clearly supreme over
the states with wide interpretation of the “necessary and proper clause” (Article I, Sect. 8 of the Constitution, also known as the “elastic clause.”)
Federal government intervenes or assists in some areas
Began with the New Deal in the 1930s
Effects of Federalism State Politics
• Places the states in
• States want to maximize the benefits they can get from the national government and make
• “smokestack chasing” states bid against one another to get industries to locate within
Effects on Citizens• Citizens have access to officials
• Enhances power of interest groups:– Organized groups of citizens who share political,
social, or other
Increased Flexibility• Benefits:
– Preserve local standards and
– Experimentation with
• Drawbacks:– Making and enforcing laws can be troublesome– Different penalties for the same crime can make it
difficult to
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