What is federalism
A system that divides powers granted to national government and state government
- is the perpetrator of many controversial issues in representative democracy
What are the four types of powers in federal government
- enumerated and implied
- reserved
- concurrent
What is confederal government
- a system of government that puts the sub national superior to national
What is unitary government
A system of government that puts one central government above all sub national.
- state and local
States can disband — governments because…
Inferior/ local, their power depends on state
The constitution does not describe… thus..
Levels of government below states… Federalism does not take them into account. It is just the division of power between state and national
Selective Incorporation
Takes power away from the states in that they are required to follow the fundamental rights listed beneath the B.O.R., which before the 14th amendment, only applied to the federal government
What are the main things that reduced state’s power
- Congress
- Amendments
- Judicial/ Supremacy
- cooperative federalism/ great depression
- fiscal federalism/ grants in aid
cooperative federalism
A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government.
What kicked off cooperative federalism
The great depression
- states and local governments were overwhelmed and needed national government help
What are positives of categorial grants
- redistributing of money into states closes interstate inequalities
- improve welfare of citizens
Before cooperative federalism, what remained reserved powers of states
- social welfare until “Great Society program” by Lyndon b johnson.
- education, until The Elementary and Secondary Education Act which gave federal assistance to low income children in both public and private schools
Devolution
- return at least some of the power from the federal gov back to the states. Specifically federal programs to the states
- Block grants
- started with Richard Nixon
- continued with Ronald Reagan
What are examples of Cooperative Federalism
-Entitlement Programs: Medicare- old people healthcare and Medicaid- health care for poor
