Transcript Day 1 PowerPoint

INTRODUCIN
G:
Federalism
Federalism
Defined
• Power is distributed between central government and
subdivisional governments
• United States: National Government vs State governments
• National and subdivisional governments both exercise direct
authority over individuals
• Examples:
• United States (duh)
• Canada
• Australia
• Mexico
Systems of
Government
Unitary
Confederations
• Concentrates all policymaking
power in ONE central
geographic place
• Examples:
• France
• Britain
• China
• Spreads the power among
many sub-units
• Examples:
• Articles of Confederation
• Confederate States of America
• European Union
Unitary and Confederate systems undesirable
• Unitary: too similar of British rule
• Confederate: too similar of the Articles of
Confederation
Reasons for federal system
innot
U.S.
1. Allows unity, but
uniformity
Geographically large nation
More suitable for heterogeneous people
More likely to check tyranny
Frees national govt to concentrate on
truly national matters
6. Frees states from excessive intrusion on
strictly state/local matters
7. Encourages experimentation -- states as
"laboratories”
8. More ways for public participation
2.
3.
4.
5.
Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages
Disadvantages
• Mobilization of political
activity
• Interest groups cannot
easily take over gov’t
• Diversity among polices
among states encourages
experimentation/creativity
• Diverse policies among
states good because
uniform laws don’t make
sense
• Confusion of political
activity
• Small, but motivated
interest groups can block
will of majority
• Diversity of policy creates
inequality between citizens
of different states
• Diverse policies among
states create confusion
and inequality
Constitution USA –
Peter
Sagal
Questions to
discuss:
1. What did the
Founding Fathers
have in mind when
they created a shared
power system?
2. How could the
Commerce Clause of
the Constitution apply
to medical
marijuana?
Take a Stand!
Directions:
• Pick a side of the classroom to determine where we stand on whether
the state or national government should have the power!
• Be able to explain your opinion.
Issue 1
Legalizing Marijuana
Take a Stand!
Directions:
• Pick a side of the classroom to determine where we stand on whether
the state or national government should have the power!
• Be able to explain your opinion.
Issue 2
Pollution
Take a Stand!
Directions:
• Pick a side of the classroom to determine where we stand on whether
the state or national government should have the power!
• Be able to explain your opinion.
Issue 3
Speed Limits
Take a Stand!
Directions:
• Pick a side of the classroom to determine where we stand on whether
the state or national government should have the power!
• Be able to explain your opinion.
Issue 4
Capital Punishment
Take a Stand!
Directions:
• Pick a side of the classroom to determine where we stand on whether
the state or national government should have the power!
• Be able to explain your opinion.
Issue 5
Abortion
Take a Stand!
Directions:
• Pick a side of the classroom to determine where we stand on whether
the state or national government should have the power!
• Be able to explain your opinion.
Issue 6
Voter Identification
Laws
Take a Stand!
Directions:
• Pick a side of the classroom to determine where we stand on whether
the state or national government should have the power!
• Be able to explain your opinion.
Issue 7
Drinking Age
Take a Stand!
Directions:
• Pick a side of the classroom to determine where we stand on whether
the state or national government should have the power!
• Be able to explain your opinion.
Issue 8
Minimum Wage