AP Government
Federalism
p Instructional Resources
Edwards, Chapter 3
The Words We Live By w/discussion questions
Article I, Sec. 8, 9, 10
Article VI
10th Amendment
11th Amendment
Supreme Court DBQ’s
McCulloch v. Maryland
Gibbons v. Ogden
p Overview
“Federalism” refers to the division of power between the national government and the states. Under our federal system, significant government powers are divided between the central government and small governmental units; neither completely controls the other, and each has some room for independent action. We begin by defining federalism and differentiating it from other forms of political organization, chiefly unitary and confederal systems. We then examine the basic principles of American federalism, including the division of power between the national and state governments and the principles of national supremacy and state obligations. Next, we consider how American federalism has changed over time, evolving from a system of dual federalism to a system of cooperative federalism, to the contemporary system of new federalism as it exists today. We conclude by evaluating the impact of federalism on public policy and politics in the United States.
p Learning Objectives
Define federalism and contrast it with alternative ways of organizing a nation.
Outline the constitutional basis for the division of power between national and state governments, the establishment of national supremacy, and states’ obligations to each other.
Characterize the shift from dual to cooperative federalism, the role of fiscal federalism in intergovernmental relations today, and diversity in policies among the states.
Explain the consequences of federalism for diversity in public polices among the states.
Assess the impact of federalism on democratic government and the scope of government.
Formatives: Due on Friday, 9/30
p Short Answer Questions: Provide a response to each of the following questions:
1. Explain the difference between the powers that the U.S. Constitution provides to the national and state governments. Be sure to give specific examples.
2. Explain the significance of Gibbons v. Ogden.
3. How do block grants differ from categorical grants?
4. Explain why the Framers of the U.S. Constitution chose to abandon the Articles of Confederation.
5. Define unfunded mandates. Why are unfunded mandates problematic?
6. There are two major types of federal grants-in-aid for states and localities: categorical grants and block grants. Define each type and show how they are used in today’s federal budgetary process.
7. Describe the primary strengths of a federal system.
8. Explain the justification of federalism from the Framers’ point of view.
9. Explain the consequences of federalism for diversity in public policies among the states.
10. Explain the privileges and immunities clause.
11. The Constitution divides power between the national (federal) government and state governments and makes the national government supreme within its sphere. The national government has implied as well as enumerated powers, as McCulloch v. Maryland made clear. Explain the issues involved in this ruling and its impact on federalism.
12. Explain how critics of the Defense of Marriage Act invoke the full faith and credit clause.
13. How do we know that the U.S. Constitution is federalist? Cite specific clauses or articles.
14. Explain why the Supreme Court struck down the Violence Against Women Act.
15. Why does Medicaid place states in a difficult position?
p Essay Questions: Respond to TWO of the following:
1. Describe the evolution of federalism over the course of American history. Provide specific social/policy developments or Supreme Court decisions for each evolutionary step.
2. Discuss how devolution impacted social service policy and legislation in the 1990s.
3. Explain how the federal government uses federal funding to indirectly imposeits will upon the states.
4. Explain why today’s federalism is or is not an effective form of government for the United States. Be specific in supporting your argument.
5. In what ways was Brown v. Board of Education a dispute between states’ rights and national power?
p Research Activities: Complete ONE of the following:
RESEARCH ACTIVITY 1: Using the list of government activities from the Landmark Cases website at www.landmarkcases.org/mcculloch/pdf/Federalism_Activity_Diagram.pdf, create a Venn diagram to determine which of the activities falls into each of these categories: enumerated powers, implied powers, reserved powers, concurrent powers.
This activity illustrates the division of power under the American system of federalism.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY 2: In a short reaction paper, evaluate the federal response to the BP oil spill.. The Guardian’s website (www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bp-oil-spill) offers an archive of extensive coverage of the event. Consider the following questions in your analysis:
§ The response was largely viewed as a massive failure. Is this a fair assessment? If so, who or what institutions are to blame?
§ How much responsibility should the states and BP assume, and how much should the national government assume? What should be their respective roles?
§ Should the levels of government react differently than they would in response to the loss of homes or businesses during a national crisis?
This activity encourages students to think about how federalism might undermine more efficient and effective public policy in some areas.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY 3: Research the contemporary debate over immigration reform and enforcement. Start with Arizona’s controversial SB 1070, which was widely viewed as one of the broadest anti-immigration measures in recent U.S. history.
§ Provide a short summary of Arizona’s SB 1070 or similar measures in other states.
§ Write a short position paper responding to the question, Should states and cities be responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws?
RESEARCH ACTIVITY 4: Read “It’s Not About Federalism #14: Gay Marriage” from the Brennan Center for Justice at NYC School of Law (www.brennancenter.org/page/-/d/inaf_14.pdf). In a short response paper, reflect on the question of whether legal recognition of gay marriages should be determined by the states or by the national government.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY 5: Which states win and lose the federal aid game? Use the infographic from the textbook to answer the following questions:
§ Which states are “recipient states,” receiving more from the federal government than they contribute? Which states are “donor states,” paying more to the federal government than they receive?
§ Can you explain in your own words precisely what the data show? What are donor and recipient states? How are they calculated?
§ How does politics help explain whether a state is a recipient or donor state? What is the relationship between party politics and recipient/donor state status? Were you surprised by these results? Why?