Federalism test

Federalism

The idea that in the U.S government powers are divided between the government and the states.

What are some things the national government take care of?

Fighting wars, delivering mail, making money

What are some things the state governments take care of?

Drivers or any license, school, elections

What is something both state and national governments handle?

Federal taxes

From 1788 to 1937, what kind of regime did the U.S live under?

Dual federalism

What is dual federalism?

Government power was strictly divided between the state and national governments

Who was more power under dual federalism?

States

What kind of government did the New Deal bring?

Cooperative federalism

What is cooperative federalism?

The national government encourages states to pursue nationally-defined goals

Money that the government gives to the states is called?

Grants-in-aid

What is regulated federalism?

Environmental rules, civil rights

New federalism gave more power to

the states

What are block grants?

Federal government gives money to the states and the states get to decide how they want to spend it

Why is federalism important?

It decentralizes politics

What are enumerated powers?

Power specifically given Congress in the Constitution

What are reserved powers?

Powers given to the state governments

What are concurrent powers?

powers shared by the federal and state governments

What are some examples of enumerated powers?

Regulate interstate and international trade, making treaties and conducting foreign policy. providing an army and navy, establishing post offices, and declaring war

What are some example of reserved powers?

Building schools and regulating education, issuing licences, conducting elections, regulating interstate business, and ratify amendments to the constitution

What are some example of concurrent powers?

Establishing courts,, take private property for public purposes with just compensation, make and enforce laws, collect taxes, and borrow money

What is eminent domain

Government takes private property for public use

What are the three levels of government in the U.S. federal system?

National government, state governments, and local governments.

What powers are categorized as national in the U.S. federal system?

Managing defense, foreign relations, and interstate commerce.

What responsibilities do state governments handle?

Manage issues specific to their residents, such as education, public health, and intrastate commerce.

What do local governments oversee?

Oversee community-specific matters such as zoning, law enforcement, and public utilities.

What are shared (concurrent) powers in the U.S. federal system?

Taxation, law enforcement, and transportation, allowing both national and state governments to exert authority.

How does the U.S. Constitution limit the power of government?

The Constitution establishes checks and balances, outlines protections for individual liberties, and reserves powers not delegated to the national government to the states or the people.

What is a unitary system of government?

Centralized authority where the national government holds significant power and delegates limited authority to regional entities.

Why did the Founding Fathers choose a federal system over a unitary system?

They aimed to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation by balancing a strong central authority with the autonomy of individual states.

What historical conflicts have arisen over national and state government roles?

Conflicts include the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, marijuana legalization debates, and immigration policy disagreements.

What was a key issue during the Civil War related to federalism?

The conflict was rooted in disputes over states' rights versus federal authority, particularly Southern states' claims to secede.

How did the Civil Rights Movement highlight tensions between state and federal governments?

States resisted desegregation and equal rights, prompting federal intervention to protect individual rights and enforce national laws.

What ongoing debate illustrates the tension between state autonomy and federal control?

The legalization of marijuana showcases conflicts where some states legalize it despite federal laws classifying it as illegal.

What role does the Tenth Amendment play in federalism?

The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the national government to the states or the people, reinforcing limited government.

What is the significance of checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution?

Checks and balances limit the power of both national and state governments, preventing any level from infringing on individual rights.

What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights in the context of federalism?

The Bill of Rights outlines specific protections for individual liberties, ensuring that government does not infringe upon fundamental rights.

What is the Founding Fathers' intention behind federalism?

They intended to balance central authority with state autonomy to prevent the concentration of power and guard against tyranny.

What are the implications of evolving societal values on federalism?

As societal values and political ideologies evolve, disagreements emerge over the distribution of powers, leading to ongoing debates and conflicts.

What is the role of popular sovereignty in limiting government?

Popular sovereignty ensures that the government's power is derived from the consent of the governed, reinforcing individual rights.

How does federalism accommodate diverse state needs?

Federalism allows states to manage local affairs while still being part of a unified national government, reflecting diverse needs and preferences.

What is the relationship between federalism and individual rights?

Federalism helps protect individual rights by distributing power across different levels of government, preventing abuse of authority.

What is the significance of the Founding Fathers' choice of federalism?

Their choice aimed to create a government capable of addressing national concerns while preserving state autonomy and preventing tyranny.