The Federal System Unit 2 What is it

The Federal System Unit 2

What is it? l System of government created by the U. S. Constitution that divides governmental power between national and state governments.

The Constitutional Division of Powers l The Constitution divides powers into 3 categories: Expressed l Concurrent l Reserved l

Expressed Powers specifically granted to the national government l Examples: l l l l Coin money Postal System Maintain military Declare War Regulate interstate and international commerce Immigration Negotiate treaties

Concurrent Powers shared by the national and state governments l Examples: l l l l Protects civil rights and liberties Taxes Provide for public safety and health Establish courts Punish lawbreakers Borrow money Construct and maintain roads

Reserved Powers belonging to state governments l Comes from 10 th Amendment – “powers not specifically delegated to the national government are reserved for the states” l Examples: l l l l 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? l Encourages political participation l Promotes democracy l States are unified and unique

What are the drawbacks? l Inconsistency between states l Tension between national and state governments

Types of Federalism has changed over the course of American history … l Dual Federalism (1790 s – 1930 s) l Cooperative Federalism (1930 s – 1950 s) l Regulated Federalism (1960 s) l New Federalism (1970 s -1980 s)

Dual Federalism l Two levels of government have clearly defined and separate responsibilities National Government State Government

Cooperative Federalism l 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 l Huge increase in federal involvement in state and local governments N A T I O N A L State Local

New Federalism l Power is shifted back to the states during Nixon and Reagan presidencies Power Back to the states

State Governments l U. S. Constitution has one requirement for states … state constitutions must support a

State legislatures l Responsibilities: make laws, levy taxes, and create budgets

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

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

Redistricting l Redrawing of voting districts to reflect population changes

State Governors l Manage the executive branch for the state Georgia’s Governor: Nathan Deal

State Court System Trial Courts: cases that effect daily lives of citizens l High level trial courts: major criminal cases and law suits l Lower Level trial courts: l l 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 l Judges l Tax commissioner l Sheriff’s Office l Health services

Mayor-Council System l Divides power between an elected mayor and city council

Commission System l Qualified professionals head city commissions l Skilled professionals make decisions

Council-Manager System l Combines democratically elected council with professional city management

Special-Purpose Districts l Provides a specific function l For example: School boards