Federalism - Ms. McManamy`s Class

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Transcript Federalism - Ms. McManamy`s Class

Federalism
Defining Federalism
The Constitutional Basis of
Federalism
Intergovernmental Relations
Today
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Dual Federalism
Definition: a system of government in which both
the states and the national government remain
supreme within their own spheres, each responsible
for some policies
 Like a layer cake
 Narrowly interpreted powers of federal government
 Ended in the 1930’s
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Intergovernmental Relations
Today
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Cooperative Federalism
Definition: a system of government in which powers
and policy assignments are shared between states
and the national government
 Like a marble cake
 Shared costs and administration
 States follow federal guidelines
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Intergovernmental Relations
Today
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Fiscal Federalism
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Definition: the pattern of
spending, taxing, and
providing grants in the
federal system; it is the
cornerstone of the
national government’s
relations with state and
local governments
Intergovernmental Relations Today
Intergovernmental Relations
Today
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Fiscal Federalism (continued)
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The Grant System: Distributing the Federal Pie
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Categorical Grants: federal grants that can be used for
specific purposes; grants with strings attached
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Project Grants: based on merit
Formula Grants: amount varies based on formulas
Block Grants: federal grants given more or less
automatically to support broad programs
 Grants are given to states & local governments.
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Intergovernmental Relations
Today
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Fiscal Federalism (continued)
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The Scramble for Federal Dollars
$460 billion in grants every year
 Grant distribution follows universalism—a little
something for everybody.
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The Mandate Blues
Mandates direct states or local governments to comply
with federal rules under threat of penalties or as a
condition of receipt of a federal grant.
 Unfunded mandates
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Understanding Federalism
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Advantages for
Democracy
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Increases access to
government
Local problems can be
solved locally
Hard for political parties
or interest groups to
dominate all politics
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Disadvantages for
Democracy
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States have different
levels of service
Local interest can
counteract national
interests
Too many levels of
government and too
much money
Understanding Federalism
Understanding Federalism
Key Concepts in Federalist Papers
Constitutional Underpinnings of the United
States Government

Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and
Balances, Representation, Pluralism
Ideological and philosophical justifications of the
Constitution
Factions
Bill of Rights
Role of the institutions of government
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Contending theories of American government
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The Ratification Debate
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Crucial states—PA, MASS, VA, NY
First 36 completed by January,1788
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Jay—wounded in a street riot soon after Federalist
series released
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Next 49 completed in Vol. 2—May 28
Madison wrote 40% of final product while the Continental
Congress was sitting in NY
Returned to write in Federalist 64
Checks and balances mentioned once—Federalist 9
Experience
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Experience mentioned 91 times—bookends to The Federalist
Papers
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“After an unequivocal experience of the inefficiency of the subsisting
Federal Government, you are called upon to deliberate on a new
Constitution for the United States of America.” Federalist 1, Hamilton
Quoting Hume, “To balance a large state or society (says he) whether
monarchical or republican, or general laws, is a word of so great difficulty,
that no human genius, however comprehensive, is able by the mere dint
of reason and reflection, to effect it. The judgments of many must unite
in the work: EXPERIENCE must guide their labor: TIME must bring it
to perfection: And the feeling of inconveniences must correct the
mistakes which they inevitably fall into, in their first trials and
experiments.” Federalist 85, Hamilton.
The Ratification Debate
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Political argument
WWJMD?
Reflection of Federalist thought?
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Grouped around major themes
1-14 advantages of a more perfect union
 15-24 weaknesses of the AOC
 23-36 what powers ought to be exercised by national
government
 37-85 proposed Constitution and how it conforms to the
principles of good government and republican principles
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The Ratification Debate
Process of Ratification debate
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1.
2.
3.
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Three Debates pertaining to:
Legality of Convention
Endorsement of Constitution and its adoption
Amendments to the Constitution
8 month period—Sept.87—June 88
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Bulk done in December
All debates have one thing in common—include at least
one member from the Philadelphia Convention who
usually introduced the document
The Ratification Debate
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Debate itself
95 different newspapers
 2 at least in every state
 Philly, NY, Boston media centers
 Federalist positioning in papers
 Only 6 of 95 were Anti-Federalist (13 leaned)
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Federalism and The Federalist
Papers
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“The powers…to the federal government are few and
defined. Those which are to remain in the State
governments are numerous and indefinite. The former
will be exercised principally on external objects such as
war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce….The
powers reserved to the several States will extend to all
the objects which…concern the lives, liberties, and
properties of the State.”
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Federalist 45, Madison
Federalism and The Federalist
Papers
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“Both governments are in fact different agents
and trustees of the people, constituted with
different power.”
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Federalist 46, Madison
“If their rights are invaded by either, they can
make use of the other as the instrument of
redress.”
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Federalist 28, Hamilton