Chapter 3 Federalism
Chapter 3 Federalism
Three Systems of government Unitary System -centralized government in which local governments exercise only those powers given to them by the central government Confederal System-consists of a league of ndependent states, each having essentially sovereign power Federal system-power is divided by a written constitution between a central government and regional governments
Three Systems of Government • Unitary System – centralized government in which local governments exercise only those powers given to them by the central government • Confederal System – consists of a league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign power • Federal System – power is divided by a written constitution between a central government and regional governments
Figure 3-1: The Flow of Power in Three Systems of government UNITARY CONFEDERAL FEDERAL Central Government Central Government Central Government Local/State Local/State Local/State Local/state Local/state Local/State Local/State Local/state
Figure 3-1: The Flow of Power in Three Systems of Government
Why Federalism? A Practical Solution-to the dispute between advocates of a strong central government and states rights advocates Geography and population make it impractical to locate all political authority in one place Brings government closer to the people State governments train future national leaders State governments can be testing grounds for policy initiatives Federalism allows for many political subcultures
Why Federalism? • A Practical Solution – to the dispute between advocates of a strong central government and states’ rights advocates • Geography and population make it impractical to locate all political authority in one place • Brings government closer to the people • State governments train future national leaders • State governments can be testing grounds for policy initiatives • Federalism allows for many political subcultures
Constitutional basis of powers of the national government Enumerated Powers- First 17 clauses of article I, Section 8, examples include coining money, setting standards of weights and measures declaring war Elastic clause-the clause in article I section 8 that grants Congress the power to do whatever is necessary to execute its specifically delegated power Inherent Powers- powers derive from the fact that the United States is a sovereign power among nations
Constitutional Basis of Powers of the National Government • Enumerated Powers – First 17 clauses of Article I, Section 8, examples include coining money, setting standards of weights and measures, declaring war • Elastic Clause – the clause in Article I, Section 8, that grants Congress the power to do whatever is necessary to execute its specifically delegated power • Inherent Powers – powers derive from the fact that the United States is a sovereign power among nations