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Federalism
n Federalism – A political system in
which ultimate authority is shared
between a central government and
state or regional governments.
n Certain powers granted to federal gov’t n Certain powers granted to state gov’t n Certain powers granted to both state and federal government
Three Types of Government
n I. Federation
n Sovereignty to the national government n Direct contact with citizens by both national and state governments n Both levels have power over the people
Three Types of
Government, continued
n II. Confederation
n Sovereignty to the state government n National government deals with states, states deal directly with the people n States have the power over the people
Three Types of
Government, continued
n III. Unitary
n Only the central government n No state governments n France, England
PHASES OF AMERICAN
FEDERALISM
Phase 1: 1789 – 1867
n Administrative Collaboration
n Cooperation between state and national governments on development
n Conflicts Over Sovereignty
n State vs. Federal gov’t
Phase 2: 1867 – 1913,
continued
n Substantive Due Process
n Courts defined corporations as individuals to protect them, based on 14 th^ Amendment
Phase 3: 1913 – 1941
n Reversing Industrial Regulation
n Courts now allowed the Federal gov’t to make laws protecting workers from corporations.
- Child labor
- Working hours
- Unemployment insurance
Phase 4: 1941 – 1969
n Race
n Conflict between states and federal gov’t over enforcing civil rights legislation
- Civil Rights Act
- Voting Rights Act
n The National-Local Relationship
n Federal & local governments worked together to bypass state governments
Phase 5: 1969 – Present
n Devolution
n Greater mistrust of the federal government n Returning power back to the states
- Block grants – Grants given by the federal government to state and local authorities for general purposes. - Example – educational grant - Advantage – flexibility - Disadvantage – lack of available money
Phase 5: 1969 – Present,
continued
n Devolution
n Returning power back to the states
- Categorical Grants – Grants given by the federal government to state and local authorities for a specific purpose. - Example – build an airport - Advantage – availability - Disadvantage – purpose too narrow
Phase 5: 1969 – Present,
continued
n Devolution
n Mandates – Rules imposed by the federal government on the states as conditions for obtaining federal grants or requirements that the states pay the costs of certain national programs.
- Example – civil rights laws
- Advantage – protects minorities & society
- Disadvantage – some mandates unfunded & little man power to enforce the mandates
