Federalism

Definition

Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states or provinces. It is a fundamental principle of the United States Constitution, which establishes a federal system where the federal government and state governments share sovereignty and responsibilities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Federalism was a key compromise during the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, balancing the interests of large and small states.
2. The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reserves all powers not granted to the federal government to the states or the people.
3. The Supreme Court has played a significant role in interpreting the boundaries of federal and state power through its rulings on cases involving federalism.
4. Competitive federalism refers to the dynamic between states as they compete for economic development, population, and political influence.
5. Intergovernmental relationships, including grants, mandates, and preemption, shape the balance of power between the federal government and the states.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of federalism was developed and incorporated into the U.S. Constitution during the Constitutional Convention.
  • Federalism was a central issue during the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, as the framers sought to balance the interests of large and small states. The Articles of Confederation, which preceded the Constitution, had established a weak central government with most power residing in the states. The Constitutional Convention ultimately resulted in a federal system where the federal government and state governments would share sovereignty and responsibilities, with the federal government having enumerated powers and the states retaining reserved powers. This compromise, known as federalism, was a crucial aspect of the development and ratification of the Constitution.
• Describe how the Supreme Court has interpreted and shaped the boundaries of federal and state power through its rulings on cases involving federalism.
  • The Supreme Court has played a significant role in defining the limits of federal and state power through its interpretations of the Constitution. Through landmark cases such as McCulloch v. Maryland, Gibbons v. Ogden, and New York v. United States, the Court has established principles like dual sovereignty, the Necessary and Proper Clause, and the Commerce Clause, which have delineated the respective spheres of authority for the federal government and the states. The Court's rulings have evolved over time, reflecting changing perspectives on the appropriate balance of power in a federal system and the scope of federal power, particularly in areas like economic regulation, civil rights, and environmental protection.
• Analyze how the concept of competitive federalism, where states compete for economic development, population, and political influence, has impacted the dynamics of American federalism.
  • The concept of competitive federalism, where states actively compete with one another for economic, demographic, and political advantages, has significantly shaped the evolution of American federalism. States have used a variety of tools, such as tax incentives, regulatory environments, and public investments, to attract businesses, residents, and federal resources. This competition has led to a decentralization of power, as states have sought to carve out their own spheres of influence and differentiate themselves from their neighbors. At the same time, the federal government has sometimes intervened to address concerns about a 'race to the bottom' or to promote national priorities, leading to ongoing tensions and negotiations between the states and the federal government. The dynamics of competitive federalism have had far-reaching implications for policymaking, the distribution of resources, and the overall balance of power in the American federal system.

Related terms

Dual Sovereignty: The concept that in a federal system, both the national government and the state governments possess sovereignty, meaning they have independent and supreme authority within their respective spheres of jurisdiction.

Enumerated Powers:

The specific powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution, which are limited and defined, in contrast to the reserved powers of the states.

Concurrent Powers:

Powers that are shared between the federal government and state governments, such as the power to tax, spend, and make laws.