Federalism

Federalism

1. Big Concepts

   • Federalism is defined as a way of governing people using a system with several levels over the same people/area
   • Unitary Goverments - All power resides in the central goverment (example France)
   • Intergovermental Relations -The system in which there is interaction between national, state and local goverements.

2. Division of Power

   • States have equal representation in the senate
   • States held responsble for state and national elections
   • Supremacy Clause - Judges are to follow the constitution no matter the state they are in, even if the laws contradict

3. The Role of The Bill of Rights

   • 10th Amendment continues the balance of power stating any power not stated goes to the state and/or the people

4. Conflicts within Federalism

   • McCulloch v Maryland - First issued state vs National power to come before the supreme court (1819)
   • Civil War - More than a issue over slavery, fought in the name of states against national goverments

5. Trends in Federalism

   • Extradition - A person cannot be charged for a crime they commited in a different state
   • Fiscal Federalism - The pattern of spending, taxing and spending money in the federal system