Centralization of American government and reduction of state and local power*** = Overarching theme of classI. Government Centralization at the national level Centralization = reduction in power of states and localities to design, enact, and administer public programs on their own through increasing rules and mandates from the national government (especially from the Congress and federal courts).Governments at all levels tend to EXPAND/CENTRALIZE/CONSOLIDATE POWER. When this happens, any subordinate government suffers a loss of its power.A. Loss of state and local powers:There is a power struggle between the national government and the state governments, and on a smaller scale the same struggle goes on between state and local governments. This struggle can be viewed as a tug-of-war battle between the respective authorities. When one gains power, the other must lose it.B. Congressional Action:14th Amendment had a HUGE impact on state and local government because it forced every state and city within the US to follow a mandate from the Federal government. The national government was flexing its muscles. Some more recent decisions that drastically infringed upon state and local power: Obamacare and No Child Left Behind.II. Sources of modern (since the 1930’s) centralization:A. Some fiscal and policy capacity issues for states and localities (meaning that power tends to follow the money, so state and local governments are at a disadvantage when competing with the national government because they have so much less $ at their disposal). In the 1920s, state/local governments had 67% of the power while national government had 33% Today the balance is more like 40% : 60% with the national government holding the lion’s share of power.Side note: Conservatives are traditionally nervous about wars because they = centralization“Centralization” slowed down after WWll, then again after mid-eighties.B. **Triumph of “nationalist” interpretation of the U.S. Constitution**Very important!!! Since the 1780s the Constitution has been understood using one of two different frames of reference: nationalist OR state-based (states’ rights)Side note: The phrase “states’ rights” carries implications of racism for those old enough to remember Jim Crow/segregation. “State-based” is a more academic, politically correct term.(Nationalist) Did “we the people” (an “organic” whole) create the Constitution or (state-based) was it the states (“compact”) that created it? Which level of government is the most essential to American liberty and self-government? National or State? Is it more effective to work together as a national team or to protect local interests from the possible (and probable) tyranny of the Fed?In general, since the thirties the SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) has embraced the Nationalist view! They have an expansive view of Congress’ Article 1:8 powers (“Congress shall have the power to…”).**Article 1, section 8 phrase, “Congress shall have the power to…” is stressed a lot!!!Interstate commerceSCOTUS pursuing a “two-track” strategy…Since 1995 there have been over a dozen major decisions limiting national government (especially congressional) power over states and localities.Lecture 1 POLS 207Outline of Current Lecture:Centralization of American GovernmentI. Government Centralization at the national levelA. Loss of state and local powersB. Congressional actionII. Sources of/reasons for this centralizationA. Federal government has more money than state/localB. “Nationalist” interpretation of US ConstitutionCurrent Lecture:Centralization of American government and reduction of state and local power*** = Overarching theme of class I. Government Centralization at the national level  Centralization = reduction in power of states and localities to design, enact, and administer public programs on their own through increasing rules and mandates from the national government (especially from the Congress and federal courts).Governments at all levels tend to EXPAND/CENTRALIZE/CONSOLIDATE POWER. When this happens, any subordinate government suffers a loss of its power.A. Loss of state and local powers: There is a power struggle between the national government and the state governments, andon a smaller scale the same struggle goes on between state and local governments. This struggle can be viewed as a tug-of-war battle between the respective authorities. When one gains power, the other must lose it.B. Congressional Action: 14th Amendment had a HUGE impact on state and local government because it forced every state and city within the US to follow a mandate from the Federal government. The national government was flexing its muscles. Some more recent decisions that drastically infringed upon state and local power: Obamacare and No Child Left Behind.Congress goal is not necessarily to reduce state and local power, but that ends up being the byproduct of their actions. II. Sources of modern (since the 1930’s) centralization: A. Some fiscal and policy capacity issues for states and localities (meaning that power tends to follow the money, so state and local governments are at a disadvantage when competing with the national government because they have so much less $ at their disposal).  In the 1920s, state/local governments had 67% of the power while national government had 33%  Today the balance is more like 40% : 60% with the national government holding the lion’s share of power.Side note: Conservatives are traditionally nervous about wars because they = centralization“Centralization” slowed down after WWll, then again after mid-eighties.B. **Triumph of “nationalist” interpretation of the U.S. Constitution**Very important!!! Since the 1780s the Constitution has been understood using one of two different frames of reference: nationalist OR state-based (states’ rights)Side note: The phrase “states’ rights” carries implications of racism for those old enough to remember Jim Crow/segregation. “State-based” is a more academic, politically correct term.(Nationalist) Did “we the people” (an “organic” whole) create the Constitution or (state-based) was it the states (“compact”) that created it? Which level of government is the most essential to American liberty and self-government? National or State? Is it more effective to work together as a