Objective: Explain how societal needs affect the constitutional allocation of power between the national and state governments.
Starter: What is the minimum age to obtain a driver's license in the United States?
1.How accurate was your prediction?
2.Why don't we have a national minimum driving age?
3.Do you think the driving age should be altered?
4.Is this good news or bad news?
5.How do you think accident rates compare in South Dakota (14.3) and New Jersey (17)?
6.Can a 14 year-old with a valid South Dakota license drive in New Jersey?
7.How do you think the US compares to the rest of the world?
8.Would you be willing for your state to raise the driving age by two years if your state also simultaneously lowered the drinking age by two years?
9. Do you think there should be a maximum driving age?
Recap: Explain the implications of separation of powers and checks and balances for the U.S. political system.
Review
Cross from one side to the other if you feel confident you can answer each question.
Practice Questions
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Quiz Today: Constitutional Compromises
Word of the Day
Interstate / Intrastate
- Define it.
- Use it in a sentence.
- Define interstate commerce.
- What part of government controls interstate issues?
- What part of government controls intrastate issues?
Medical Marijuana
We're going to watch a documentary about medical marijuana, but really, it's a documentary about federalism. As you watch, try to find government buzzwords and any connections you can make to the relationship/power struggle between state governments and the U.S. government.
Summary Questions:
- What does this video have to do with federalism?
- Do you think states should make laws that contradict federal law?
- When the state and federal law are at odds, who wins?
- How much power should the Attorney General have to decide how to enforce laws?
- Do you agree with Chris Williams’ sentence?
- Why isn’t the U.S. shaded as only one color in the map above?
Arrangements of Central and Regional Governments
The vast majority of the countries of the world have unitary governments, where laws are standardized throughout the nation. The U.S. does not. Given the forms of governments below, brainstorm various advantages and disadvantages of each.
Unitary Government: This is a centralized system of government in which all power is vested in a central government. Laws are applied evenly throughout the entire country and most decisions flow in a top/down manner. Countries in blue on the map have unitary governments.
Confederation: This is a decentralized system of government in which a weak central government has limited power over its states. The United States began as a confederate system of government. No nations today use a confederation, but the United Nations is an example of a confederation.
Federalism: This is a system of government in which power is divided by a written constitution between a central government and regional government. There are some national laws but other laws, benefits, and taxes may vary from region to region. Countries in green on the map base their governments on federalism.
Unitary Government: This is a centralized system of government in which all power is vested in a central government. Laws are applied evenly throughout the entire country and most decisions flow in a top/down manner. Countries in blue on the map have unitary governments.
Confederation: This is a decentralized system of government in which a weak central government has limited power over its states. The United States began as a confederate system of government. No nations today use a confederation, but the United Nations is an example of a confederation.
Federalism: This is a system of government in which power is divided by a written constitution between a central government and regional government. There are some national laws but other laws, benefits, and taxes may vary from region to region. Countries in green on the map base their governments on federalism.
Division of Powers Between the Federal and State Governments
The exclusive and concurrent power of the national and state governments help explain the negotiations over the balance of power between the two levels.
Federal Powers:
Reserved Powers: powers held solely by the states (10th Amendment)
Prohibited Powers: denied to national government, states, or both
Federal Powers:
- Expressed (enumerated) powers: listed in the Constitution
- Implied powers: derived from necessary and proper clause
- Inherent powers: derived from the fact that the U.S. is a sovereign nation
Reserved Powers: powers held solely by the states (10th Amendment)
Prohibited Powers: denied to national government, states, or both
Intergovernmental Relations
The distribution of power between federal and state governments to meet the needs of society changes, as reflected by grants, incentives, and aid programs, including federal revenue sharing, mandates, categorical grants, and block grants.
2AB 4B
2AB 4B
Unit Project: Federalism Panel Debate
- You will work in a group of four (2AB) or two (4B) people and assigned a topic.
- Once in your group, you must decide on which side to take (A=federal position, B=state position).
- Your task is to research the topic, describe the mandate you are researching, take a position, and develop 3 arguments you will use to make your case. You will also prepare 2 questions to ask the opposing side.
- Presentations on each side will be limited to 3 minutes and a class vote will follow the debates.
- While not presenting, follow along in a chart to familiarize yourself with each topic.
Digital copy here!
Closer: Explain how societal needs affect the constitutional allocation of power between the national and state governments.
On Deck
Topic: Constitutional Interpretations of Federalism
What to Read: Section 3.4 (pp. 68-76)
Work on Panel Research
Work on 28th Amendment Project
What to Read: Section 3.4 (pp. 68-76)
Work on Panel Research
Work on 28th Amendment Project