2306+-+3+-+Federalism

Power Points



Here are updated slides that divide the content above into 3 parts:

Part One: Nations, States, and Local Governments

Part Two: Federalism in the U.S. Constitution

Part Three: The Stages of Federalism

Relevant Terms:

- Confederacy - Federalism - Dual Sovereignty - Nation - State - Federalist Papers - Article Four - US Constitution - Privileges and Immunities - Full Faith and Credit - Land Ordinance - Northwest Ordinance - Federal Territories - Manifest Destiny - Jacksonian Democracy - Counties - Cities - Municipal Corporations - Multi Purpose Governments - Single Purpose Governments - Independent Schools Districts - Special Tax Districts - Municipal Utility Districts - Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone - Municipal Management Districts - Laboratories of Democracy || - Federalists - Anti - Federalists - Virginia Plan - Great Compromise - The U.S. Senate - Article One - US Constitution - 17th Amendment - House elections - Chief election officers - Texas Secretary of State - Texas Election Code - Voting Rights Act - Pre-clearance - Shelby v. Holder - Suffrage - Redistricting - Voter ID laws - Apportionment - Legislative Redistricting Board - Gerrymandering - Delegated Powers - Implied Powers - 10th Amendment - Inherent Powers - State Sovereign Immunity - Chisholm v Georgia - 11th Amendment - Denied Powers - Commerce Clause - Necessary and Proper Clause - McCullough v Maryland - General Welfare Clause - Reserved Powers - Police Powers - Concurrent Powers - 14th Amendment - Equal Protection Clause || - Nationalization - Dual Federalism - McCulllough v. Maryland - Gibbons v Ogden - John Marshall - Roger Taney - National Bank - Nullification - Kentucky and Virginia Res. - Ordinance of Nullifications - Scott v Sanford - Cooperative Federalism - The New Deal - NLRB v Jones - Wickard v Filburn - Social Sedurity Act - Categorical Grants - Block Grants - Formula Grants - Great Society - Fiscal Federalism - Unfunded Mandates - New Federalism - Deregulation - Devolution - Privatization ||
 * Part One: || Part Two: || Part Three: ||
 * - Unitary

Description: This section attempts to place Texas, and the states in general, in the context of American government. It builds off the concept of "federalism" which was outlined in GOVT 2305. At its simplest Federalism refers to the split between national and state power - dual sovereignty - that was the result of a compromise made in the US Constitutional Convention in 1787. More broadly it refers to the multitude of governing institutions that exist across the nation. In this section I want to try to explain the relationship between the states and the nation, and especially that of Texas and the US. As we will see, the relationship is very contentious. Texas is driven by interest and values that are more narrow than those of the nation as a whole, this makes conflict inevitable. Some of these we cover in the following section on political culture. Here I want to lay out a road map that helps you come to terms - as best that is possible - with the complex nature of government in the nation and state.

Goals - After reading this section you should be familiar with the following:

- The definition of "federalism" and the nature of national, state and local power. Be able to define each. - The concept of a "nation" and its development. The position that the states have within the federals system. - The role the states played as driving forces during the revolutionary era and during the struggle to create a constitutional oder for the new nation. - What the Constitution says - and does not say - about the national and the states and their relative powers. - The early conflict over the precise relationship that would exist between the states and the national government in a new constitution. The compromises that led to the arrangement that exists today. - The legal status of local and single purpose government in Texas. - The complex nature of the governing system within the US. The advantages and disadvantages of federalism. - What ability did the states have - within the original constitution - to protect their interests? How have these changed over time? - What powers were states made to give up under in Constitution? - How have changes in electoral laws impacted Texas? - Be able to describe and identify the delegated, implied, denied and reserved powers. - Where do these terms come from and what types of powers are national and state in nature? - What efforts have states made to limit the scope of national power? Be familiar with state sovereign immunity - What obligations do states have to each other in the Constitution? And what guarantees does it require the national government make to the states? - Which are the elastic clauses and what controversies are associated with each? - What role has the Supreme Court played in expanding and contracting the powers of the national government? - What is the extent of the reserved powers of the states? Where - and how - is there overlap between the state and national governments? - Be familiar with the three main eras of federalism: dual, cooperative, and new, in addition to the related phrases regulatory, creative and fiscal federalism. - What factors seem to have led to an expansin of national power over time? What role has the Supreme Court played in allowing this expansion to occur? - How was Texas affected by Cooperative Federalism? - What role did the New Deal and the Great Society play in expanding national power? How were they similar and different and how does this explain reactions to each? - How have grants helped expand national power? How have grants been modified to give states greater control over the policies they are made to implement? - How have advocates of New Federalism attempted to roll back the size of the national government? Have they been effective?

As with each section, the primary source of information for the assessments can be found on the power points, but you may find these readings useful as well: - Flat World knowledge: [|Federalism] - Texas Politics: [|Federalism and the Constitution] - We The People: [|Federalism] - CRS: [|Federal Grants to State and Local Governments: A Brief History] - CRS: [|Federal Grants to State and Local Governments: Overview and Characteristics]

Terms