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What is Federalism?
a system of government where power is divided and shared between a national (or federal) government and state governments
How does federalism work in practice?
Federalism is practiced through a constitution that divides powers between a national and state governments, each with their own institutions
What are the powers of the federal government, the powers of the states, and the powers that are shared (concurrent powers)?
includes taxation, building roads, and establishing courts
What are some of the ongoing conflicts that arise from the division of power between federal and state governments?
Post-Roe landscape, Federal-state clashes:
What is federalism, and why was it created?
Federalism is a system of government that divides power between a national government and smaller, regional governments, such as states or provinces. It was created to address the failures of a weaker system and to balance the need for a unified national government with the desire to preserve local authorit
What are reserved powers (for states)?
Reserved powers are the powers that the U.S. Constitution neither delegates to the federal government nor prohibits to the states, but instead reserves for the states or the people, as affirmed by the Tenth Amendment.
How does federalism affect issues like taxation, education, or healthcare?
Federalism affects taxation, education, and healthcare by dividing responsibilities and power between federal and state governments, leading to a system where policies vary significantly across states
How are different levels of government able to address local needs?
Different levels of government are able to address local needs through a system of federalism, where authority is divided among federal, state, and local governments. This tiered structure allows for the management of broad national concerns at the federal level, while more localized issues are handled by governments that are closer to the people and better understand their specific needs
What is the difference between dual and cooperative federalism
dual federalism views state and federal governments as separate and independent, like a "layer cake," while cooperative federalism sees them working together with overlapping powers, like a "marble cake"
Why does federalism make it harder to create uniform policies across the nation?
Federalism makes it harder to create uniform national policies primarily because it divides power between the federal government and state governments, allowing for a diversity of public needs, interests, and viewpoints to be represented
How do interest groups use the different levels of government to influence policy?
Interest groups influence policy at the federal, state, and local levels through a range of tactics, including lobbying, campaign contributions, public advocacy, and litigation
How are different levels of government able to address local needs?
Different levels of government are able to address local needs through a combination of distinct responsibilities, financial support, and intergovernmental collaboration
How has the Supreme Court's interpretation of federalism evolved through different court cases?
from a strong federal power under the Marshall Court
How has the balance of power between the federal government and the states changed over time?
The balance of power has shifted from states to the federal government over time, primarily due to crises like the Civil War and the Great Depression
What were the arguments for and against federalism during the founding of the United States, as seen in the Federalist Papers?
The Federalist Papers argued for a stronger national government to correct the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, claiming it would improve national unity and stability, and that the proposed Constitution’s system of checks and balances would prevent tyranny
How does federalism impact individual rights and the role of the courts in protecting them?
Federalism impacts individual rights by creating a system of shared power between federal and state governments, which can either expand or limit rights, and it involves the courts in a dual role of protecting rights at both the state and federal levels
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a federal system?
A federal system's advantages include policy innovation and diverse representation by allowing states to experiment with new policies, while its disadvantages include economic and regulatory disparities between states and potential gridlock on national issues
How does federalism impact individual rights?
Federalism impacts individual rights by both protecting liberty through the division of power and creating disparities in rights and protections across states.
What is federalism and how does it differ from other systems of government?
Federalism is a system of government where power is divided vertically between a national government and regional/state governments, unlike unitary systems where power is concentrated at the national level, or confederations where power is held by the states and the national government is weak.
How does federal preemption, or the ability of the federal government to override state laws, work?
Federal preemption is the legal principle that federal law takes precedence over conflicting state laws, based on the Constitution's Supremacy Clause.