Ch3+-+Federalism

Chapter 3 - Federalism
== In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people. The different governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself. -James Madison, Federalist No. 51 ==

Examples: Please note, websites MAY have a bias.

Abortion Laws -

Marijuana - USMarijuannaLaws

Gun Laws - NRA

Death Penalty - Death Penalty

McCulloch v. Maryland



1. Explain the difference between federal and centralized systems of government, and give examples of each.

2. How has the system of federalism lived up to the expectations of the framers?

3. How is federalism “bad”?

4. How has the elastic clause affected the balance of power between the states and the national government? Is it good or bad for this type of federal system? What does it tell us about the framers?

5. What has been the impact of the Supreme Court's decision in //McCulloch v Maryland// and //Gibbons v Ogden//?

6. What does the 10th amendment say about Federalism? What has happened to the application of the tenth amendment in recent years?

7. Who are the two parties in the case //U.S. v. Lopez//? What were they fighting about? What part of the Constitution is involved in this case? Who won? On what basis?

8. State the reasons why federal grants-in-aid to the states have been politically popular, and cite what have proved to be the pitfalls of such grants. Distinguish between categorical grants and block grants or general revenue sharing.

9. Distinguish between mandates and conditions of aid with respect to federal grant programs to states and localities.

10. To what extent was Nixon's "New Federalism" successful in limiting conditions on federal aid?

11. How has devolution impacted the federal - state relationship?