1.3 - The Main Characteristics of US Federalism Flashcards
What is arguably the key feature of federalism dual sovereignty?
Dual sovereignty - the sharing of power between state and federal governments - each is dominant in different areas - federal gov is in control of defence while state gov is in control of law and order
Which amendment upholds federalism in the Constitution and what does it state?
The 10th amendment protects the autonomy of the states by stating that any power not explicitly given to the federal gov is reserved for the states or the people
What are the three stages of federalism?
1) Dual federalism (1790s to early 1930s)
2) Cooperative federalism (early 1930s to 1960s)
3) New federalism (1960s to 2000s)
What is dual federalism - What did dual federalism involve for the federal gov and when was it?
Dual federalism = limited role for federal gov (1790s to early 1930s)
Dual Federalism - What type of relationship between federal and state gov, what supported the states, EGs
- State and federal govs were co-equal with distinct policy boundaries
- The states undertook most governing with SC rulings supporting them
Dual Federalism - Who exercised the most power, what cake is dual federalism like?
- Individual state govs exercised the most power
- Dual federalism is like a layered cake with clearly defined levels and a clear dispersal of power
Cooperative Federalism - Relationship between state and federal govs, when?
Cooperative federalism = federal and state govs working together (early 1930s to 1960s)
Cooperative Federalism - When did federal gov grow, what did this period see, how did this start, what did this demonstrate?
- Federal gov grew after Wall Street crash, Great Depression, WW2, FDR, and the Cold War
- This period saw a significant increase in federal gov powers and scope - started by FDR’s New Deal, the federal gov took on new responsibilities in matters such as unemployment benefits, work programs, and providing local schools
- This demonstrates how the clear distinction under dual federalism has been blurred
Cooperative Federalism - What was cooperative federalism a mix of, what happened by the 1960s, EGs, federal gov spending rise during LBJs term?
- Cooperative gov was a mixture of federal and state gov - By the 1960s cooperative federalism had changed the US political landscape EG the welfare of citizens now being a federal preserve
- From LBJ’s term in office alone federal gov spending rose from $10 billion per year to $260 billion
New Federalism - What is new federalism and when?
New federalism is an attempt to reduce federal power and return autonomy to the states (1960s to 2000s) -
New Federalism - What did Nixon call for and what was the reaction to this, what did this involve, what does new federalism more resemble and why?
- Nixon called for a ‘new federalism’ which both his democratic and republican successors were sympathetic to
- This was where the powers of federal gov would be rolled back and returned to the states
- However new federalism still resembles cooperative federalism more than dual federalism as the lines are still blurred
Federalism Under Bush - What was Bush ideologically expected to do?
Bush was a conservative Rep - expected to pull back Federal gov power and its spending - return more power to the states
Federalism Under Bush - What did his education policy suggest?
‘No Child Left Behind’ (2002) saw a huge amount of federal regulation in a state issue - EG mandatory annual testing and reporting on the performance of different groups - Bush claimed to be empowering schools/states to make their own decisions but largely looked like a massive extension of federal power
Federalism Under Bush - Significance of healthcare?
Medicare (old people care (old people likely to vote and vote Red) under Bush saw a $400 billion expansion - expansion of a federal gov program in the states - caused division - 25 House Reps and 9 Senate reps voted against
Federalism Under Bush - Significance of Homeland security/defence
Due to 9/11 - massive increase in spending - defence - $290 billion to $650 billion - homeland security - $13 billion to $69 billion - EG Patriot Act
Federalism Under Bush - The Economy
Federal gov took control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage debt companies - left federal gov liable for $6 trillion in mortgage liability - followed by a $700 billion Wall Street bail out - massive amount of federal gov intervention
Federalism Under Obama - What was Obama expected to do?
As a Dem, Obama was expected to increase the role of the Federal gov, esp in healthcare
Federalism Under Obama - Economy
Also has to deal with a huge economic crisis - signs a $246 trillion stimulus package in 2009 which went directly to states to spend
Federalism Under Obama - Healthcare
Spending largely done by the States with Medicaid with money coming through from the Federal gov - arguably went too far with Federal gov powers - the fact that the states had to participate in reforms or risk losing all Medicaid funding was seen as ‘the end of Federalism’
Federalism Under Obama - How was healthcare challenged in the SC?
Challenged in the SC through ‘National Federation of Independent Businesses v Sibelius’ - this struck down some aspects of Obamacare for coercing of the states by the Federal gov - however it did uphold Obamacare and the principle of Federal control over healthcare
Federalism Under Trump - What would you expect?
As a Conservative Rep, one would expect Trump to reel back the power of the Federal gov, but as someone who wanted to be in control of everything, he often did completely the opposite
Federalism Under Trump - Covid
Covid policy inconsistent - Went from putting responsibility on the states to overriding the states when they did something he didn’t like
Federalism Under Trump - Executive orders, impeachment, immigration
- Executive orders (220) were seen as expanding federal power EG increasing border security measures on the border with Mexico
- Twice impeached, suggesting an abuse of power
- Actions on immigration frequently foiled by courts EG 16 stats filing law suits to stop the building of the Wall on grounds of executive overreach
Federalism Under Biden - Economy - Big Act
Came to office at a very difficult time - signed American Action Plan worth $1.9 trillion - included one off payments of $1400 to those earning under $75,000, $350 billion for state and local govs, $130 for re-opening schools, $49 bullion for Covid testing, and $14 billion on vaccines
