The main characteristics of US federalism

Question 1

What is the key feature of federalism

Answer 1

Dual sovereignty between federal and state governments

Question 2

Give an example of how federal and state governments are dominant in different areas

Answer 2

The federal government is in control of defence and the states are in control of law and order

Question 3

What was the 10th amend designed to protect?

Answer 3

The autonomy of the states

Question 4

How does the constitutional amendment process aid federalism?

Answer 4

Because any alteration to the power of the states must be approved by 2/3 of the states

Question 5

List the three broad stages that federalism can be split into

Answer 5

Dual, cooperative and new

Question 6

When did dual federalism take place

Answer 6

1790s to early 1930s

Question 7

When did cooperative federalism take place?

Answer 7

Early 1930s to 1960s

Question 8

When did new federalism take place?

Answer 8

1960s to the 2000s

Question 9

What does dual federalism involve?

Answer 9

A limited role for the federal government

Question 10

What does cooperative federalism involve?

Answer 10

The federal and state governments working together

Question 11

What does new federalism involve?

Answer 11

An attempt to reduce federal power and return autonomy to the states

Question 12

Describe the state of dual federalism

Answer 12

S and F were co-equal with distinct policy boundaries. The states undertook most governing and the SC supported this. There were clearly defined levels and a clear dispersal of power

Question 13

Describe the period of cooperative federalism

Answer 13

The federal government grew as a result of the depression, WWII and the Cold War. Instead of there being clear roles like in dual federalism, it was now a pragmatic mix. For instance, the welfare of citizens was previously overseen by S but this shifted to F by the 1960s

Question 14

Who called for new federalism?

Answer 14

Nixon, his idea was supported by subsequent R presidents and Clinton

Question 15

Describe the period of new federalism

Answer 15

This is where the powers of the federal government would be rolled back and returned to the states. However, the lines are still blurred, meaning the current system resembles cooperative rather than dual

Question 16

Make the case that the US constitution still works

Answer 16

• Federalism has been a great compromise between strong national government and state diversity
• The text has proved very adaptable to changes in US society
• The demanding amendment process has prevented ill thought out amendments
• Rights and liberties have been protected
• The SC has been able to use judicial review to make interpretative amendments

Question 17

Make the case that the constitution no longer works

Answer 17

• The amendment process is too difficult, making it impossible to amend outdated parts or to add parts that the majority desire
• Judicial review gives too much power to unelected SC justices
• Too negative and gives to much power to reactionaries
• Some parts, like the electoral college, make little sense in today’s society
• Some parts, like war making powers, don’t work in the way that the founding father’s invisaged

Question 18

What do articles I-IV of the constitution collectively do?

Answer 18

Set out the powers of the states and the federal government

Question 19

What does the 10th amendment do?

Answer 19

Gives all powers not given to the federal government to the people and the states

Question 20

What forms the executive in the states?

Answer 20

A governor

Question 21

What forms the legislature in the states?

Answer 21

State congress

Question 22

What forms the judiciary in the states?

Answer 22

State SC

Question 23

What does the 10th amendment prevent the federal government from doing?

Answer 23

Acting in ways not allowed by the constitution

Question 24

Who runs the executive branch in the states?

Answer 24

The democratically elected governor

Question 25

What is this governor responsible for?

Answer 25

The implementation of state laws and the running of the executive branch

Question 26

What do most towns and cities also have?

Answer 26

A democratically elected government

Question 27

What does the federal government do?

Answer 27

Makes laws that apply to all of the states

Question 28

Explain why federalism is important for the US

Answer 28

• States have different histories, politics and cultures
• States were incorporated into the union at different times - there were originally 13 states which has now expanded to 50
• States rights keeps the individual culture and history of the states alive, and means that they continue to have different characteristics in the present day