Federalism

Unitary System

A system where all political power is centralized in the national government, leaving little to no power for states; most common system globally (e.g., France, China)

Confederate System

A system where most power is held by the states and the central government is weak; states can override national authority (e.g., Articles of Confederation, EU)

Federal System

A system where power is shared between national and state governments, both having authority over the same people; used in large, diverse countries (e.g., U.S.)

Federalism

The division of power between national and state governments to increase participation and manage diversity in policymaking

Decentralization of Politics

Federalism increases access to government by creating multiple levels for political participation

Decentralization of Policy

States can solve problems differently and act as “laboratories of democracy,” experimenting with policies

Judicial Role

Courts act as an “umpire,” resolving conflicts between state and national governments

Intergovernmental Relations

The interactions between federal, state, and local governments, including funding, mandates, and shared responsibilities

Reserved Powers

Powers given specifically to states under the 10th Amendment, such as education and public safety

Extradition Clause

Requires states to return individuals accused of crimes to the state where the crime was committed

Privileges and Immunities Clause

States must treat citizens of other states equally and cannot discriminate against them

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must recognize and accept legal documents, records, and court decisions from other states

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal laws and the Constitution override state laws when conflicts arise

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to expand its powers beyond those explicitly listed in the Constitution; basis for implied powers

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate interstate and international trade; has expanded federal authority over time

Nullification

The idea that states can ignore or invalidate federal laws; largely unsuccessful and tied to Civil War tensions

Secession

The act of a state leaving the Union, which led to the Civil War

Dual Federalism

A system where state and national governments operate separately within their own spheres of power (“layer cake”); ended in the 1930s

Cooperative Federalism

A system where state and national governments share responsibilities and work together (“marble cake”), often with federal funding conditions

Fiscal Federalism

The system of federal funding through taxation, spending, and grants that influences state policies

Grants-in-Aid

Federal funds provided to states and local governments for specific or broad purposes

Categorical Grants

Federal grants given for specific purposes with strict rules; main source of federal aid to states

Project Grants

Categorical grants awarded based on merit or applications for specific projects

Formula Grants

Categorical grants distributed based on a formula, such as population or income

Block Grants

Federal grants given for broad purposes, allowing states more flexibility in how funds are used

Federal Mandates

Requirements that states must follow federal laws or regulations, sometimes without funding (unfunded mandates)

Devolution

The transfer of power from the federal government back to the states, especially seen in the 1990s reforms

Tenth/10th Amendment

The constitutional amendment stating that "The powers not delegated to the United State by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are RESERVED FOR THE STATES respectively, or to the people."

McCulloch v. Maryland

An 1819 Supreme Court decision that established the SUPREMACY of the national government over state governments. In deciding this case, Chief Justice Marshall held that Congress had certain IMPLIED POWERS in addition to the enumerated powers found in the Constitution.

implied powers

Powers of the federal government that go beyond those enumerated in the Constitution. The Constitution states that Congress has the power to "make all laws neccessary and proper for carrying into execution" the powers enumerated in Article I.

Gibbons v. Ogden

A landmark case decided in 1824 in which the Supreme Court interpreted very broadly the Commerce Clause, giving Congress the power to regular interstate commerce, encompassing virtually every from of commercial activity

Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

The Fourteenth Amendment requires a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-state

Gonzalez v. Raich (2005)

The COMMERCE CLAUSE of the Constitution allows Congress to BAN homegrown MARIJUANA even when for MEDICAL USE and allowed by the states

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

Supreme Court declared Gun Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress's Commerce Clause power and was therefore unconstitutional; first federal law declared to exceed commerce clause since the 1930s.