1.3 Main characteristics of US Federalism

Question 1

5

Describe the main characteristics of US Federalism

Answer 1

• Codified
• Divided sovereignty between states and federal govt
• Federal govt can only exercise power explicitly given to them
• State govts exercise power explicitly given to them
• State also exercises any powers not included in the Constitution (10th amendment)

Question 2

3

List some federal government powers

Answer 2

• Regulate interstate and foreign commerce
• Make all laws ‘necessary and proper’ to achieve constitutional powers
• Coinage

Question 3

4

List state powers

Answer 3

• Establish local government
• Regulate elections (e.g. gerrymandering)
• Maintain a militia
• Assume powers not listed in Constitution (10th amendment)

Question 3

3

List examples of powers that are assumed by states

Answer 3

• Regulate schools
• Professional licences
• Interstate commerce (presumbaly intrastate?)

Question 4

2

Describe concurrent powers

Answer 4

• Powers shared between federal and state government
• Exercised simultaneously

Question 5

3

List concurrent powers

Answer 5

• Make constitutional amendments
• Levy taxes
• Establish courts

Question 6

1

Describe federal and state jurisdiction

Answer 6

• areas of policy determined by federal/state govt

Question 7

2

Describe federal mandates

Answer 7

• Federal mandate - federal laws states must abide by
• e.g. shutdown of all air traffic immediately after 9/11

Question 8

3

List recent examples of the development of federal control

Answer 8

• Build Back Better plan (Biden) - 3 part plan that included vast spending on COVID-19, infratructure and social security
• Trump signed executive order stripping federal grants from ‘sanctuary cities’ (later ruled unconstitutional)
• Obergefell v Hodges (2015) - effectively legalised same-sex marriage

Question 9

What were ‘sanctuary cities’

Answer 9

Cities which limited cooperation with federal immigration agencies

Question 10

3

List recent examples of the development of state power

Answer 10

• Alabama and other states banned abortion after Roe v Wade overturn
• Each state had own COVID-19 restriction
• Trump passed executive order aimed at minimising economic burden to states of Obamacare

Question 11

Describe the US Patriot Act (2001)

Answer 11

• allows federal government to detain terrorist suspects