Federalism

Federalism

What is it?

The Constitution of the United States provides for a federal system of government in which power is shared between the states and the national government. (The Supremacy Clause)

Reserved Powers

The powers not given to the national government by the Constitution of the United States are reserved to the states or people (10th Amendment).

Conflict

Federalism is not a static relationship between levels of government. The distribution of power between the states and the national government is the source of considerable political debate.

Multiple Choice

Powers that are not given to the Federal government are 

• implied powers
• expressed powers
• reserved powers
• super powers

Multiple Choice

Which amendment gives reserved powers to the states?

• 1st

• 7th

• 10th

• 12th

Powers of national government

• Expressed powers are those directly stated in the Constitution of the United States, such as the powers to levy and collect taxes, make war, and regulate trade among the states.

• Implied powers are those reserved by the national government but not specifically listed; the source for implied powers is the elastic clause or “necessary and proper” clause (Article I, Section 8).

Powers of national government (continued)

• Inherent powers are those that the national government may exercise simply because it is the national government, such as establishment of diplomatic relations and regulation of immigration.

Multiple Choice

In the Constitution, the implied powers of Congress come from the 

• Necessary and Proper Clause
• Supremacy Clause
• Relative Clause
• Santa Clause

Multiple Choice

Powers the government has because it is the government

• Inherent Powers

• Delegated Powers

• Reserved Powers

• Separation of Powers

Multiple Choice

Powers of Congress that are stated in the Constitution

• expressed
• reserved
• implied
• concurrent

Concurrent powers are powers that are shared between the federal government and state (also local governments).

• Taxation

• Transportation

• Establishment of courts

• Making of laws

Conflicts between the state and national authority in a federal system are found in concurrently held powers.

Powers denied to both the national and state governments

• Ex post facto laws (making something illegal that was legal when done)

• Tax on exports

Multiple Choice

What type of power does the picture represent?

• expressed

• concurrent

• reserved

Multiple Choice

Punish law breakers

• enumerated

• reserved

• concurrent

Multiple Choice

This says that Federal law is to be followed if there is a conflict between a state law and federal law.

• reserved powers

• Supremacy Clause

• denied powers

Multiple Choice

Levy taxes (make and collect)

• Enumerated

• Reserved

• Concurrent