Political Science 101 POLS: American Government - Federalism Enumerated Implied Necessary and Proper Concurrent Reserved Powers Dual Cooperative Fiscal New Federalism Devolution

1. What This Is & Why It Matters

Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority (federal government) and constituent political units (states or provinces). This concept is central to political science because it explains how different levels of government interact, influence policy, and affect citizens' lives. Without understanding federalism, you can't explain why some democracies collapse under centralized power, why states resist federal policies, or how the U.S. Constitution's framework has shaped American politics.

Consider the recent example of the COVID-19 pandemic. When the federal government imposed mask mandates and vaccination requirements, some states resisted, citing individual freedoms and state sovereignty. This debate highlights the ongoing tension between federal and state power, a fundamental aspect of federalism.

2. Essential Thinkers, Concepts & Models

• Montesquieu: Argued that power should be divided among separate branches of government to prevent tyranny. His ideas underpin the U.S. Constitution's system of checks and balances.
• James Madison: Proposed the concept of federalism as a way to balance power between the federal government and states. His Federalist Papers #10 and #51 remain essential readings on the topic.
• Alexander Hamilton: Advocated for a strong central government, arguing that it would promote economic growth and national security. His views on federal power are still debated today.
• Tocqueville: Analyzed the relationship between federal and state power in the United States, highlighting the importance of local governance and citizen participation.
• Dual Federalism: A model where the federal government and states have separate spheres of authority, with the federal government handling national issues and states handling local matters.
• Cooperative Federalism: A model where the federal government and states work together to achieve common goals, often through grants and partnerships.
• New Federalism: A movement in the 1970s and 1980s that sought to return power to the states, often through block grants and reduced federal oversight.
• Devolution: The transfer of power from the federal government to states or local governments, often in areas such as education or healthcare.

3. Step-by-Step ‘Political Analysis’

1. Define the research question: Identify the specific aspect of federalism you want to analyze, such as the impact of devolution on state budgets or the role of cooperative federalism in addressing national crises.
2. Gather data: Collect relevant data on federal and state policies, including laws, court decisions, and administrative actions.
3. Compare cases: Analyze similar situations across different states or time periods to identify patterns and variations in federal-state interactions.
4. Test a hypothesis: Develop a hypothesis based on your research question and test it using statistical analysis or case studies.
5. Evaluate the implications: Consider the broader implications of your findings for federalism, including potential consequences for citizens, states, and the federal government.

4. Common Student Mistakes

• Misconception: Federalism is simply a system where power is divided between the federal government and states.
• The right view: Federalism is a complex system that involves the interaction of multiple levels of government, with different branches and agencies playing various roles.
• Misconception: The federal government has absolute authority over national issues, while states have complete control over local matters.
• The right view: Federalism involves a delicate balance of power between the federal government and states, with both levels of government having some authority over certain issues.
• Misconception: Devolution is a one-way process where power is always transferred from the federal government to states.
• The right view: Devolution can involve the transfer of power from the federal government to states or local governments, but it can also involve the federal government taking back power from states.

5. Exam/Essay Tips

• Multiple-choice questions: Be careful to distinguish between different types of federalism, such as dual and cooperative federalism.
• Free-response questions: Use specific examples to illustrate your points, such as the impact of the Affordable Care Act on state Medicaid programs.
• Trap distinctions: Be aware of the difference between federalism and other concepts, such as separation of powers or checks and balances.
• Integrating the topic into an argumentative essay: Use federalism as a framework to analyze the impact of a particular policy or issue, such as the role of states in addressing climate change.

6. Quick Practice Scenario

Scenario: A state governor refuses to implement a federal law requiring background checks for gun purchases, citing state sovereignty and individual rights. Which constitutional principle is at stake?

Answer: The Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

7. Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• Montesquieu: Argued for separation of powers to prevent tyranny.
• James Madison: Proposed federalism as a way to balance power between the federal government and states.
• Alexander Hamilton: Advocated for a strong central government.
• Tocqueville: Analyzed the relationship between federal and state power in the United States.
• Dual Federalism: A model where the federal government and states have separate spheres of authority.
• Cooperative Federalism: A model where the federal government and states work together to achieve common goals.
• New Federalism: A movement in the 1970s and 1980s that sought to return power to the states.
• Devolution: The transfer of power from the federal government to states or local governments.
• Enumerated Powers: Powers specifically granted to the federal government in the Constitution.
• Implied Powers: Powers not explicitly granted to the federal government but necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.
• Reserved Powers: Powers reserved to the states or the people under the Tenth Amendment.
• Supreme Court cases: Gibbons v. Ogden (1824), McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), United States v. Lopez (1995)
• Constitutional clauses: Tenth Amendment, Ninth Amendment, Commerce Clause

Separate but equal was overturned by Brown v. Board – Plessy v. Ferguson was the earlier, racist ruling.

8. Further Study Resources

• Textbooks: American Government: Stories of a Nation by David McKay, Government by the People by David B. Magleby
• Khan Academy units: Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances
• YouTube channels: Crash Course Government, CGP Grey