The Federal System

Unit 2

What is it?

System of government created by the U.S. Constitution that divides governmental power between national and state governments.

The Constitutional Division of Powers

The Constitution divides powers into 3 categories: ExpressedConcurrentReserved

Expressed Powers

Powers specifically granted to the national government

Examples: Coin money Postal System Maintain military Declare War Regulate interstate and international commerce Immigration Negotiate treaties

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by the national and state governments

Examples: Protects civil rights and liberties Taxes Provide for public safety and health Establish courts Punish lawbreakers Borrow money Construct and maintain roads

Reserved Powers

Powers belonging to state governments Comes from 10th Amendment – “powers not

specifically delegated to the national government are reserved for the states”

Examples: Establish local governments Establish schools Regulate marriage, divorce, and adoptions Regulate intrastate commerce Provide fire and police protection Conduct elections Enact license requirements

Why is federalism a good thing?

Encourages political participation Promotes democracy States are unified and unique

What are the drawbacks?

Inconsistency between states Tension between national and state

governments

Types of Federalism

Federalism has changed over the course of American history …

Dual Federalism (1790s – 1930s) Cooperative Federalism (1930s – 1950s) Regulated Federalism (1960s) New Federalism (1970s -1980s)

Dual Federalism

Two levels of government have clearly defined and separate responsibilities

National Government

State Government

Cooperative Federalism

Era of shared power between federal, state and local governments

Like marble cake, the levels of government are intertwined and less clearly defined

Regulated Federalism

Huge increase in federal involvement in state and local governments

N A T I O N A L

State

Local

New Federalism

Power is shifted back to the states during Nixon and Reagan presidencies

Back to the states

Power

State Governments

U.S. Constitution has one requirement for states …

state constitutions must support a

State legislatures

Responsibilities: make laws, levy taxes, and create budgets

Apportionment

The distribution of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislatures

Gerrymandering

When lawmakers draw district boundaries in a manner that benefits them or their party

Redistricting

Redrawing of voting districts to reflect population changes

State Governors

Manage the executive branch for the state

Georgia’s Governor:

Nathan Deal

State Court System

Trial Courts: cases that effect daily lives of citizens

High level trial courts: major criminal cases and law suits

Lower Level trial courts: Municipal Courts – minor violations, divorce,

adoptions Small Claims Courts – disputes involving small

amounts of $ Appeals Courts: cases that are appealed to

reverse the decision of trial courts

Local Governments

County Government

Judges Tax commissioner Sheriff’s Office Health services

Mayor-Council System

Divides power between an elected mayor and city council

Commission System

Qualified professionals head city commissions Skilled professionals make decisions

Council-Manager System

Combines democratically elected council with professional city management

Special-Purpose Districts

Provides a specific function For example: School boards