Federalism

a system of government in which powers are divided between a national government and regional government. It allows for shared power, dual sovereignty and creates a compound republic.

it prevents abuse of power, it reflects preferences of citizens, its more responsive to citizens and it allows for innovation - states can act as laboratories of democracy.

national laws and treates are always superior to state laws whenever the two clash - based off supremacy clause

The government gets states to act as they wish through incentives. The carrots are grants in aid (categorical or block), but in order to receive grants they must pass mandates

it raises the issue of interstate boundaries- who has proper right to use what amount of the water.

local governments are not included in definition of the state. they are creatures of the state

he meant that voters in states could implement policies to see if they work at the state level, before they are implemented at the national levels. Some examples include California being the first state to limit greenhouse gas emissions, states funding stem cell research, expanding health care etc.

inequities are the price of federalism. There are often coordination problems and confusion. also a race to the bottom - in which states purposely do little to improve standing so they can receive aid.

states can bring an amendment up for ratification, they can propose a constitutional convention. They must achieve a certain number of votes to amend the constitution.

they can amend the constitution, they can propose a constitutional convention, elect senators (at the beginning), elect electors and form interstate compacts

Government can only use the powers specifically listed in the Constitution.

governmental authority shared by national and state governments, such as the power to tax residents. These include power to tax, borrow and spend

The full faith and credit clause is the constitutional requirement (in article 1, section 4) that each state recognize and uphold passed by any other state. An exception is gay marriage and gun laws

prevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner ex: McDonald v Chicago - said right to keep and bear arms is incorporated by the 14th amendment is applied to the states

it ruled congress had implied powers granted to it by elastic clause - it granted congress the authority to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the work of the federal government without state's attacking

prominent from 1787-1932, it's the idea that states and federal government has separate domains (different layers of a cake). it's a clear division of governing authority between the national and state governments

prominent from 1933-1964, it's the idea that both levels of government should work together. The federal government should identify problems and provide funding to states to solve problems. functions overlap across governments

the invalidation of state law that conflicts with federal law. (example: sports gambling)

A technique of Congress to establish federal regulations. These sanctions permit the use of federal money in one program to influence state and local policy in another (example: drinking age or highway trust fund)

federal government's assumption of some regulatory powers in a particular field, with the stipulation that a state law on the same subject as a federal law is valid if it does not conflict with the federal law in the same area (example: ACA)

they can reject federal dollars, take the federal government to court, stall or refuse to act, or lobby for change in the federal law

it allows the government to regulate trade between states due to the commerce clause

they have flipped flopped significantly, but gravitated towards a weaker role

The Supreme court. They interpret Federal - State Activities.

Reserves to states all powers not expressly granted to the government branches.

Federal Defense of Marriage Act, AZ Immigration Laws, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. are all issues that the federal government and state governments are battling over. They have granted powers to the federal government over the state government

James Madison controlled them through pluralism - a system of government in which multiple competing and responsive groups vie for power

system of government that rests ultimate governing power in its people, who rule via representatives

A republic can better protect liberties better than a democracy because, in a democracy, the majority can easily overwhelm the minority. A republic can also better protect from factions, something which a democracy will struggle to do.

In a large republic, there will be more "fit characters" to choose from each delegate. There will also be a wide variety of interests, which is important so a majority is difficult to achieve

He was justifying the system of checks and balances in the government

leaving states free to go their separate ways when a national moral consensus is lacking