AP Gov | 1.7 Relationship Between the States and National Government | NEW!

Summary

This video delves into federalism, explaining the division of power between the federal government, states, and local governments in the U.S. It outlines the concepts of delegated, reserved, and concurrent powers, highlighting the evolution from dual federalism to cooperative federalism. The presenter discusses how grants-in-aid, including categorical and block grants, have blurred the lines between state and federal powers, with the federal government using financial incentives to influence state policies.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Federalism is the distribution of power between federal, state, and local governments, as outlined by the U.S. Constitution.
• 🌐 In a unitary system, the federal government holds full sovereignty, whereas in a confederacy, states retain sovereignty.
• 📜 Delegated powers are those given to the federal government, such as declaring war and making treaties, which are exclusive to it.
• 🏫 Reserved powers are the inherent powers of the states, including education, health, and welfare, not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.
• 🤝 Concurrent powers allow both federal and state governments to perform certain functions like taxation and law-making, independently.
• 🔄 Dynamic federalism refers to the evolving relationship between state and federal governments, influenced by changes over time.
• 🎂 Dual federalism, or layer-cake federalism, characterized the first 140 years of U.S. federalism, with clear distinctions between state and federal issues.
• 🍰 Cooperative federalism, or marble cake federalism, emerged post-New Deal, blurring the lines between state and federal powers through shared responsibilities.
• 💰 Grants-in-aid are financial assistance from the federal government to states, often with conditions that can increase federal influence over state affairs.
• 🏗️ Categorical grants are funds given by the federal government for specific state projects, while block grants offer broader purposes with more state discretion.

Q & A

What is federalism?

Federalism is the division of power between the federal, state, and local governments. It is a system where different levels of government have powers over certain things because the Constitution established shared sovereignty.

How does federalism differ from a unitary system?

In a unitary system, the federal government has full sovereignty, and the states act as its subordinates. In contrast, federalism involves a balance of power between the federal government and the states.

What are delegated powers?

Delegated powers are the authorities given to the federal government by the states. These include exclusive powers such as declaring war, making treaties, and coining money.

What are reserved powers?

Reserved powers are the authorities that states keep for themselves, which include areas not specifically mentioned in the Constitution, such as education, health, welfare, and licensing.

What are concurrent powers?

Concurrent powers are the authorities that both the federal government and states have, such as taxing, borrowing money, making laws, and building roads.

What is dynamic federalism?

Dynamic federalism refers to the changing relationship between states and the federal government over time. It is described as dynamic because the balance of power shifts and evolves.

What is dual federalism or layer-cake federalism?

Dual federalism, also known as layer-cake federalism, is a concept where the responsibilities of state and federal governments are clearly distinct with no overlap, similar to layers in a cake.

What is cooperative federalism or marble cake federalism?

Cooperative federalism, or marble cake federalism, is a model where the responsibilities of state and federal governments are intertwined, making it difficult to distinguish where one ends and the other begins.

How does the federal government gain power through grants-in-aid?

The federal government gains power through grants-in-aid by offering money to states with conditions attached, which effectively allows the federal government to influence state policies in areas where it doesn't have direct constitutional authority.

What are categorical grants?

Categorical grants are federal funds given to states for specific purposes, with strict conditions on how the money must be used, thus increasing federal influence over state actions.

What are block grants?

Block grants are federal funds given to states for broader purposes, allowing states more discretion on how to use the money within a designated area, such as education.

What is revenue sharing?

Revenue sharing was a practice where the federal government provided funds to states with no strings attached, allowing states to use the money as they saw fit. This practice no longer exists.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Federalism and its Evolution

This paragraph introduces the concept of federalism, which is the division of power between federal, state, and local governments. It explains that federalism is a system where different entities make laws, but each has specific powers due to the Constitution's establishment of shared sovereignty. The paragraph differentiates between unitary systems, where the federal government has full sovereignty, and confederacies, where states are sovereign. It then describes the delegated powers of the federal government, such as declaring war and making treaties, and the reserved powers of states, which include education and health. The concept of concurrent powers is also introduced, where both levels of government can exercise certain powers separately. The paragraph concludes by discussing how the relationship between state and federal government has evolved over time, moving from dual federalism, where responsibilities were clearly divided, to cooperative federalism, where the lines are blurred and responsibilities are shared.

05:01

💼 Grants and Mandates in Federalism

This paragraph delves into the mechanisms by which the federal government influences state policies, particularly through grants and mandates. It explains how categorical grants are used to provide funds for specific purposes, effectively increasing federal power by attaching conditions to the use of these funds. An example is given of how the Reagan administration used transportation grants to incentivize states to raise the drinking age to 21. The paragraph also discusses mandates, both funded and unfunded, which are rules that states must follow regardless of financial incentives. The example of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which imposed an unfunded mandate on states to make public buildings accessible, is provided to illustrate the financial burden this can place on states. The paragraph also mentions block grants, which offer states more discretion in how funds are used within a broader category, and revenue sharing, a now-defunct practice where the federal government provided funds to states without conditions. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the trade-off for states between accepting federal funds and the loss of autonomy due to attached conditions.

Keywords

💡Federalism

Federalism refers to the division of power between the federal, state, and local governments. It is a system where different entities have the authority to make laws within their jurisdiction. In the video, federalism is described as a unique system that allows for shared sovereignty, with the Constitution establishing the boundaries of power between state and federal governments. This concept is central to understanding the video's theme of how power is distributed and exercised in the United States.

💡Delegated Powers

Delegated powers are the specific authorities given to the federal government by the Constitution. These are tasks that the states, having created the federal government, have agreed to let the federal government handle. The video mentions that declaring war, making treaties, and coining money are examples of delegated powers. These powers are exclusive to the federal government and are a key aspect of how federalism functions.

💡Reserved Powers

Reserved powers are the authorities that states retain for themselves, which are not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. The video explains that states are in charge of areas like education, health, welfare, licensing, and general police power. These powers are an important part of the balance of power within the federal system, ensuring that states maintain control over certain issues.

💡Concurrent Powers

Concurrent powers are those that both the federal government and the states can exercise. The video gives examples such as taxing, borrowing money, making laws, and building roads. This concept is important because it illustrates the areas where there is overlap in the responsibilities and authorities of federal and state governments, which can sometimes lead to conflict or cooperation.

💡Dynamic Federalism

Dynamic federalism describes the changing relationship between state and federal governments over time. The video notes that this relationship has evolved, making federalism a dynamic concept rather than a static one. This evolution is important for understanding how the balance of power has shifted and continues to shift, affecting the way policies are made and implemented.

💡Dual Federalism

Dual federalism, also known as layer-cake federalism, refers to a period in U.S. history where the separation of powers between the federal and state governments was clear and distinct, with no overlap. The video uses the metaphor of a layer cake to illustrate how each layer (or level of government) had its own distinct role. This concept is important for understanding the historical context of federalism in the United States.

💡Cooperative Federalism

Cooperative federalism is a more recent model of federalism where the federal government and states share responsibilities and costs for policies. The video likens this to marble cake federalism, where the distinctions between federal and state powers are less clear, like the swirled flavors in a marble cake. This concept is crucial for understanding the contemporary complexities of federalism and the interdependence between different levels of government.

💡Grants-in-aid

Grants-in-aid are financial assistance provided by the federal government to the states. The video explains that these grants have been a significant factor in the blurring of lines between federal and state powers. By offering financial support, the federal government can influence state policies, even in areas where it does not have direct constitutional authority.

💡Categorical Grants

Categorical grants are a type of grant-in-aid where the federal government provides funds to states for a specific purpose. The video gives an example of funds for new school construction. These grants are significant because they allow the federal government to exert influence over state actions by attaching conditions to the financial assistance.

💡Mandates

Mandates are rules or requirements that the federal government imposes on states, either with or without accompanying funding. The video discusses how mandates can be a source of tension between federal and state governments, particularly when they are unfunded and place financial burdens on states. Mandates are an important concept for understanding the ways in which federal power can extend into areas traditionally reserved for state control.

💡Block Grants

Block grants are a form of financial assistance from the federal government to states, but they are for broader purposes rather than specific ones. The video explains that block grants give states more discretion in how they use the funds, as long as they fall within a general category like education. This concept is important for understanding the balance between federal influence and state autonomy in the allocation of resources.

Highlights

Introduction to federalism as the division of power between federal, state, and local governments.

Emphasis on federalism as a key topic with a request to engage with the content.

Explanation of federalism involving shared sovereignty as per the U.S. Constitution.

Comparison of federalism with unitary and confederacy systems.

Definition of delegated powers and their exclusive nature to the federal government.

Description of reserved powers as those retained by the states for local governance.

Introduction of concurrent powers as areas where both federal and state governments have authority.

Historical overview of federalism's evolution from dual to cooperative federalism.

Discussion on how grants-in-aid have blurred the lines between state and federal powers.

Explanation of categorical grants and their role in increasing federal influence.

Example of how conditions of aid can lead states to adopt federal policies, such as raising the drinking age.

Mention of mandates, both funded and unfunded, as tools for federal control over states.

Introduction to block grants offering states more discretion in spending federal funds.

Historical note on revenue sharing as a now-defunct practice of unconditional federal aid to states.

Analysis of the trade-offs for states between accepting federal funds and adhering to federal conditions.

Teaser for the next video discussing additional ways the federal government has gained power over states.

Transcripts

Hey everybody, welcome back! We’re talking  about the relationship between states and  

the federal government, which is another way  to say, we’re talking about federalism. One  

of the most important topics of this unit.  Real quick, do me a favor and smash that  

like button as we get started and make  sure you have your notes ready to go!

Federalism is the division  of power between the federal,  

state and local governments. It’s a  unique system where we have lots of  

different people making laws and telling us  what we can’t do. But each government only  

has powers over certain things because the  Constitution established shared sovereignty,  

so it depends on the issue whether the state  or the federal government is in charge.

In a unitary system, the federal government  would have full sovereignty and the states  

would be like its little minions. And in  a confederacy like under the Articles,  

the states would be sovereign. The  federal solution is more nuanced but  

it also is a bit more complicated  than those two rejected options.

Delegated powers are given to the federal  government. It's helpful to remember that the  

states existed before the federal government;  the states created the federal government,  

therefore they gave, or delegated, some  powers to the federal government. These  

include things like declaring war,  making treaties, coining money,  

these are things that only the federal government  can do, and are sometimes called exclusive powers.

The powers states kept for themselves are  known as reserved powers. Reserved powers  

include things that are not mentioned in the  Constitution specifically, so they're in charge  

of things like education, health, welfare,  licensing, and a general police power are all  

reserved to the States. If you’re thinking,  hey, aren’t there federal education, health,  

and welfare programs, you my friend are not wrong.  Keep watching and I’ll tell you how that happened.

Concurrent powers are powers they both have,  so both the federal government and States can  

do these things, like taxing, borrowing money,  making laws, and building roads. Please note  

that they exercise these powers separately, but  they can both separately tax you, for instance.

The thing is, this relationship between states  and the federal government has changed over time,  

and for that reason it’s described as dynamic  federalism. Trust me, the AP exam loves to  

focus on anything that changes, so that makes  this section a good bet for test questions.

For the first 140 years or so, federalism in the  U.S. could best be described as dual federalism,  

which is sometimes called layer-cake federalism.  The idea is simple, just like on a layer cake  

you can see clearly where one layer ends and  one begins, with dual federalism it’s clear  

what’s a state issue and what’s a federal  issue. There’s no overlap. They are each  

separate and supreme in their own spheres. If it’s  delegated like foreign policy stuff or currency,  

it’s the federal’s power. If it’s  not mentioned, it’s up the states.

Since FDR and the New Deal, we have something  more like cooperative federalism and yeah,  

there’s a cake for this one, too: marble cake  federalism. With that marble cake the different  

flavors are swirled together and it’s tough  to get a bite that doesn’t have both flavors,  

that’s like federalism today where it’s hard  to know what exactly is a reserved power  

and what’s a delegated power. Where does  the federal government stop and states  

begin? That line has become very blurred.  With cooperative federalism, the federal  

government and states often share the costs and  administrative responsibilities of policies.

The biggest reason for the blurring of that  line has been the increase in grants-in-aid,  

federal money given to the states. What  the federal government has done to gain  

more power is actually quite clever. There are  all these areas that they technically don't have  

the ability to make policy in, so what they  do is they offer a whole bunch of money in  

the form of grants to the states and they say,  hey listen we know you guys want this money;  

if you do come and get it but by the way  when you get that money just make sure you  

follow these rules that we set. That’s the big  picture idea, now let’s get into the specifics.

First up, categorical grants represent  federal money given to the States for a  

specific purpose. So, Congress says to the  state here's fifty million dollars but you  

have to use it on new school construction. The  state probably says yes cuz they get that money,  

but they have to do exactly what Congress  tells them to do with that money.

About 90% of all federal grants to states  come in the form of categorical grants.  

Congress likes these grants because  they tell the states exactly what to do,  

increasing federal power. Just as important,  the grants often include conditions of aid  

or incentives. This refers to what states  must do just to get the money in the first  

place. They’re technically optional,  but states love to get that bread.

A classic example of this came in the 1980s when  the Reagan administration wanted all the states to  

raise their drinking age to 21. Thing is, states,  not the federal, set drinking ages through their  

police power. So, Congress made raising the  drinking age a condition of aid to continue  

receiving transportation grants. States had to  choose between letting 18- to 20-year-olds drink  

legally or getting that government cheese.  Breaking news: the states chose the money.

Congress can also issue mandates, which can  be either funded or unfunded. It’s a specific  

rule of what states must do regardless of whether  or not the federal government gives them money,  

so this isn't a do this if you want to  get the money, this is simply do this  

you must comply with this policy. Perhaps  unsurprisingly states don’t like mandates,  

especially unfunded mandates  because they're losing power  

and they have to pay for the thing that  the federal government is making them do.

A classic example is the Americans with  Disabilities Act, which included an unfunded  

mandate requiring states to make all public  buildings, think schools and courthouses,  

wheelchair accessible. It’s not that the  states were anti-disabled persons, it’s that’s  

a big bill the states just got from the federal  government and they had to pay it all themselves.

Next, block grants are money the  federal government gives the states,  

but this time it's for a broader purpose, so  instead of saying alright this is money that  

must be spent on new school construction,  it’s for a broad area like education. So,  

the states have more discretion; they could  use that money to build a new school but they  

could also use it for textbooks or hiring  teachers or whatever they want to do within  

education. Notice that they can't do literally  anything with the money, they couldn’t use that  

money for highways or transportation, states  like this because they have more discretion.

And in the 1970s and 1980s there was something  known as revenue sharing. It no longer exists,  

but it’s on the course outline so you need to know  that it’s where the federal government would give  

money to the states with no strings attached,  no conditions, just here's the money do whatever  

you'd like with it. Obviously, the states  really liked that but that no longer exists.

Okay, again let’s big picture  this. The federal government  

uses grants to gain powers in areas they aren’t  constitutionally in charge of like education,  

health, and welfare. For the states there's a  trade-off; they love getting that federal money  

because think about it they get the benefit of  spending that money without actually having to  

raise taxes themselves so that's a pretty  good deal for the states. They don't like  

those conditions of aid because of the rules  that they have to follow to get that money,  

so they lose some power, but they  get money, that's the trade-off.

Next video we’ll talk about another way that the  federal government has gained more power at the  

expense of states, so I hope you’ll be back. Until  next time, this has been a LaMoney production.

Thanks again for watching, and you already  know but I hope you’ve at least checked out  

the Ultimate Review Packet. You  can preview Unit 1 for free! So,  

what are you waiting for?  See you in the next video!