Understanding Federalism: Key Concepts and Terms

Types of Federalism

Centralized Federalism

The national government takes primary responsibility for determining national goals in all major policy areas and directs state and local government activity through conditions attached to money grants.

New Federalism

Refers to efforts, first in the Nixon administration, to return some federal tax funds to the states (general revenue sharing) and later efforts in the Reagan administration to consolidate federal grant-in-aid programs into block grants.

Representational Federalism

The idea that federalism is defined by the role of the states in electing members of Congress and the president rather than any constitutional division of powers.

Coercive Federalism

The federal government's assumption of powers traditionally reserved to the states through preemptions and direct mandates to the states.

Bottom-Up Federalism

States taking the lead in policymaking in critical economic and social areas, often in reaction to inaction or coercion by the federal government.

Key Concepts in Federalism

General Revenue

Federal sharing of tax revenues with state and local governments with few strings attached; the program ended in 1986.

Mandates

In federal-state relations, the federal government's orders to state (or local) governments to provide particular services or perform specific services.

Preemptions

In federal-state relations, the federal government's assumption of regulatory powers in a particular field to the partial or full exclusion of state powers.

Unfunded Mandates

Mandates that impose costs on state and local governments (and private industry) without reimbursement from the federal government.

Devolution

Passing-down of responsibilities from the national government to the states.

Full Faith and Credit

The clause in the U.S. Constitution requiring states to legally recognize the official acts of other states.

Privileges and Immunities

The clause in the U.S. Constitution preventing states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

Extradition

The surrender by one state of a person accused of a crime in another state.

Other Important Terms

Gerrymandering

Drawing election district boundaries to give an advantage to a party, candidate, or ethnic group.

Gender Gap

The difference between men and women in political views.

Federal and State Powers

Nationally Delegated Powers:

• Declare War
• Make Treaties
• Admit New States
• Establish Post Offices

Nationally Denied Powers:

• Require Religious Tests
• Alter State Boundaries
• Pass Laws Counter to the Bill of Rights

Concurrent Powers (Shared by Federal and State Governments):

• Levy Taxes
• Borrow Money
• Contract and Pay Debts
• Charter Banks
• Establish Courts
• Make and Enforce Laws
• Provide for the General Welfare

State Government Delegated Powers:

• Regulate Intrastate Commerce
• Conduct Elections
• Determine Voter Qualifications
• Establish Local Governments

State Government Denied Powers:

• Issue Separate State Coinage
• Impair the Obligation of Contracts
• Levy Import or Export Duties
• Enter into Treaties or Alliances