Slide 1Some ReviewSome ReviewOverviewFederalism & Systems of Gov’tFederalism & Systems of Gov’tFederalism & Systems of Gov’tFederalism & Systems of Gov’tFederalism & Systems of Gov’tFederalism & Systems of Gov’tConstitutional Basis of FederalismConstitutional Basis of FederalismConstitutional Basis of FederalismConstitutional Basis of FederalismConstitutional Basis of FederalismConstitutional Basis of FederalismGrowth of National PowerGrowth of National PowerGrowth of National PowerGrowth of National PowerGrowth of National PowerGrowth of National PowerIntergovernmental RelationsIntergovernmental RelationsIntergovernmental RelationsIntergovernmental RelationsIntergovernmental RelationsIntergovernmental RelationsIntergovernmental RelationsDevolution?Devolution?Wrap UpPOLS 206: American National GovernmentMegan K. Dyer September 18, 2014Major Institutional features of U.S. Gov’t•Union•Enumerated Powers•Separation of Powers & Checks and Balances•FederalismSome ReviewPolitical actors need to know which rules & institutions matter!•A framework for actionFederalism creates:•Different levels of rules & institutionsTaking states seriouslySome ReviewToday:1. Federalism & Systems of Gov’t2. Federalism in the Constitution•State authority•National supremacy3. The growth of national power4. Devolution?OverviewPower-sharing arrangements:1. Unitary System2. Confederate System3. Federal SystemFederalism & Systems of Gov’t1. Unitary System•National gov’t creates sub-national gov’ts & gives them power•Subnational units:•No independent authority•Simply execute national policy•e.g. France, JapanFederalism & Systems of Gov’t2. Confederate System•Central gov’t has only those powers given to it by the sub-units•A loose alliance of sovereign entities•e.g. EU, U.S. under the Articles!Federalism & Systems of Gov’t3. Federal System•Power constitutionally divided b/t a central gov’t & subnational gov’ts•e.g.: U.S., Canada, Switzerland•Aside: Scotland decides •http://www.bbc.com/news/events/scotland-decidesFederalism & Systems of Gov’tFederal System:•Different levels of gov’t control same people & territory•Each level of gov’t protected from encroachment by the other•Each unit has the power to influence the behavior of the otherFederalism & Systems of Gov’tWhy federalism?Solve collective action problems among the states, BUT:•Prevent tyranny of the national government•And allow for diversity of political culturesNeither confederacy nor consolidationFederalism & Systems of Gov’tFederalism in the Constitution:1. Division of power2. States’ obligations to each other3. National supremacyConstitutional Basis of Federalism1. Division of PowerNational government gets:•Enumerated & implied powersPowers states are denied:•e.g. treaties, war, tax imports or exportsWhat do states get?Constitutional Basis of Federalism1. Division of PowerConstitution silent on what states can do•Implication?Many concurrent powers•shared by the national & state gov’ts•e.g. power to tax & spendConstitutional Basis of Federalism1. Division of Power10th Amendment – spells it out!“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States, respectively, or to the people.”•A ‘domain of state power’?•Or just “a Constitutional truism”?Constitutional Basis of Federalism2. States’ Obligations to each otherFull faith and credit•Note: gay marriageExtraditionPrivileges & immunities•States can’t discriminate against citizens of other states•Note: in-state tuitionConstitutional Basis of Federalism3. Supremacy Clause“the supreme law of the land”National law prevails•Where Constitution gives national gov’ t authorityWhat are the boundaries of national power?•National gov’t limited•State gov’ts….. not so limitedConstitutional Basis of FederalismNat’l authority has grownThree primary ways:1. Implied Powers2. Commerce Clause  THE BIG ONE3. General Welfare ClauseGrowth of National Power1. Implied powers: •“necessary and proper” (Elastic Clause)•Limited if enumerated powers are limited•Drama: Bank of the United StatesGrowth of National Power2. Commerce Clause:•Broad definition of “interstate commerce” has increased nat’l power•What is “commerce”?•For what purposes can Congress regulate commerce?Growth of National Power3. General Welfare Clause •Power to tax & spend for the “general Welfare of the United States”•A mere statement of purpose?•Or an independent grant of power?•Aside: Federalist PapersGrowth of National PowerWhat keeps national gov’t from encroaching on state power?“…the first and most natural attachment of the people will be to the governments of their respective States.”Federalist 46States can fend it off!Growth of National PowerMadison’s claim:•States kept safe by political dynamics, NOT constitutional designs.Do these “political dynamics” still hold? Are citizens’ attachments to their states enough to fend off ‘national encroachments’?Growth of National PowerThe changing federal balance of powerIntergovernmental relations: how national & state (& local) gov’ts interact•Dual Federalism•Cooperative FederalismIntergovernmental RelationsDual federalism:•National & state gov’ts have clearly delineated jurisdictions•A “layer cake” model of authorityIntergovernmental RelationsCooperative federalism•National, state, & local gov’ts mix resources to solve problems•A “marble cake” of authorityIntergovernmental RelationsEvolution of American federalismGrowing nationalismDual federalism•Ante-bellum•Civil war  Great DepressionCooperative federalism•New Deal EraFiscal federalism•Common todayIntergovernmental RelationsFiscal Federalism•National gov’t provides $$$ incentives to local gov’ts•Categorical grants - conditional•Block grants - gives states & communities discretion•Mandates – new requirements for $$$•e.g. No Child Left BehindIntergovernmental RelationsFiscal FederalismIntergovernmental Relations1994 Republican takeover•Rhetoric of devolutionDevolution: transferring policy responsibility from federal to state & localIntergovernmental RelationsWhy devolution?•Ideology•Constitutionality•Efficiency•InnovationDevolution?Tailored policies v. “one size fits all” policiesArguments against