The Federal System

1. The Federal System Unit 2

2. What is it? • System of government created by the U.S. Constitution that divides governmental power between national and state governments.

3. The Constitutional Division of Powers • The Constitution divides powers into 3 categories: • Expressed • Concurrent • Reserved

4. Expressed Powers • Powers specifically granted to the national government • Examples: • Coin money • Postal System • Maintain military • Declare War • Regulate interstate and international commerce • Immigration • Negotiate treaties

5. Concurrent Powers • Powers shared by the national and state governments • Examples: • Protects civil rights and liberties • Taxes • Provide for public safety and health • Establish courts • Punish lawbreakers • Borrow money • Construct and maintain roads

6. Reserved Powers • Powers belonging to state governments • Comes from 10th Amendment – “powers not specifically delegated to the national government are reserved for the states” • Examples: • Establish local governments • Establish schools • Regulate marriage, divorce, and adoptions • Regulate intrastate commerce • Provide fire and police protection • Conduct elections • Enact license requirements

7. Why is federalism a good thing? • Encourages political participation • Promotes democracy • States are unified and unique

8. What are the drawbacks? • Inconsistency between states • Tension between national and state governments

9. Types of Federalism Federalism has changed over the course of American history … • Dual Federalism (1790s – 1930s) • Cooperative Federalism (1930s – 1950s) • Regulated Federalism (1960s) • New Federalism (1970s -1980s)

10. Dual Federalism • Two levels of government have clearly defined and separate responsibilities National Government State Government

11. Cooperative Federalism • Era of shared power between federal, state and local governments Like marble cake, the levels of government are intertwined and less clearly defined

12. Regulated Federalism • Huge increase in federal involvement in state and local governments N A T I O N A L State Local

13. New Federalism • Power is shifted back to the states during Nixon and Reagan presidencies Power Back to the states

14. State Governments • U.S. Constitution has one requirement for states … state constitutions must support a republican form of government

15. State legislatures • Responsibilities: make laws, levy taxes, and create budgets

16. Apportionment • The distribution of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislatures

17. Gerrymandering • When lawmakers draw district boundaries in a manner that benefits them or their party

18. Redistricting • Redrawing of voting districts to reflect population changes

19. State Governors • Manage the executive branch for the state Georgia’s Governor: Nathan Deal

20. State Court System • Trial Courts: cases that effect daily lives of citizens • High level trial courts: major criminal cases and law suits • Lower Level trial courts: • Municipal Courts – minor violations, divorce, adoptions • Small Claims Courts – disputes involving small amounts of $ • Appeals Courts: cases that are appealed to reverse the decision of trial courts

21. Local Governments

22. County Government • Judges • Tax commissioner • Sheriff’s Office • Health services

23. Mayor-Council System • Divides power between an elected mayor and city council

24. Commission System • Qualified professionals head city commissions • Skilled professionals make decisions

25. Council-Manager System • Combines democratically elected council with professional city management

26. Special-Purpose Districts • Provides a specific function • For example: School boards