FEDERALISM: The Relationship Between STATES and FEDERAL Government [AP Gov Review, Unit 1 Topic 7]

Summary

In this educational video, the concept of federalism is explored, emphasizing its significance in the AP Government curriculum. The video clarifies that federalism is not about federal power but the sharing of power between national and state governments. It explains exclusive, reserved, and concurrent powers, and how societal needs influence this balance. Fiscal federalism, through grants and mandates, is highlighted as a key mechanism for power distribution, with a focus on the evolution from categorical to block grants, and the impact of unfunded mandates. The video concludes by underscoring the dynamic nature of federalism in response to societal issues.

Takeaways

• 📚 Federalism refers to the sharing of power between national and state governments, not just federal power.
• 🏛️ Exclusive powers are those given solely to the federal government, such as declaring war.
• 🏫 Reserved powers are the rights retained by states, not delegated to the federal government, including education and policing.
• 💼 Concurrent powers are shared between federal and state governments, like taxation.
• 💵 Fiscal federalism involves the use of federal funds to influence state compliance with national standards.
• 📑 Categorical grants are federal funds given to states with specific conditions attached to their use.
• 🧩 Block grants offer more flexibility to states, allowing them to decide how to spend the money within broad categories.
• 📋 Mandates require states to follow federal directives, often with federal funding provided to assist in compliance.
• 🚫 Unfunded mandates are directives from the federal government that states must follow without receiving financial assistance.
• 🔄 Over time, the balance of power in federalism has shifted, with periods of increased state autonomy and others of greater federal control.

Q & A

What is federalism?

Federalism is the sharing of power between national and state governments, as opposed to referring solely to the power of the federal government.

What are the three types of powers that describe the relationship between state and national government power?

The three types of powers are exclusive powers, reserved powers, and concurrent powers. Exclusive powers are those given to the federal government alone, reserved powers are kept by the states, and concurrent powers are shared by both levels of government.

What is an example of an exclusive power?

An example of an exclusive power is the federal government's authority to declare war, which cannot be exercised by individual states.

What does the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution state regarding reserved powers?

The 10th Amendment states that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to the states are reserved to the states respectively or to the people.

Can you provide an example of a concurrent power?

Taxation is an example of a concurrent power, where both the federal and state governments have the authority to levy taxes.

What is fiscal federalism?

Fiscal federalism refers to the manifestation of federalism through financial means, where the federal government uses funding to influence state compliance with national standards.

How do categorical grants illustrate fiscal federalism?

Categorical grants are a form of fiscal federalism where the federal government provides funds to states on the condition that they comply with specific federal standards.

What is the difference between categorical grants and block grants?

Categorical grants come with specific federal requirements on how the funds must be used, while block grants offer broader categories with fewer restrictions, giving states more discretion over spending.

What is a mandate in the context of fiscal federalism?

A mandate is a federal directive that requires states to follow certain rules or regulations, often with federal funding provided to help states comply with these mandates.

What is an unfunded mandate and why are states generally opposed to them?

An unfunded mandate is a federal requirement that states must follow without receiving any financial assistance from the federal government to cover the costs. States are opposed to them because they must bear the financial burden of compliance.

How has the approach to federalism shifted over the past few decades in the U.S.?

The approach to federalism has shifted towards giving states more discretion in how they spend federal funds, with a decrease in unfunded mandates and an increase in the use of block grants since the 1980s and 1990s.