Consider: When should state governments be able to make laws on their own, and when should they not?

Homework: Assignment 11 for tomorrow; Collaborize by Mon.

Federalism and Speed Limits

FederalismThe Tug-of-War Between States and the National Government

IT’S ALIVE!!!! Homework: Assignment 10 for

tomorrow

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/OConner_Ch03_Federalism_Seg1_v2.html

3Video: The Big Picture

FederalismThe Tug-of-War Between States and the National Government

FederalismThe Tug-of-War Between States and the National Government

FederalismThe Tug-of-War Between States and the National Government

FederalismHow/where is federalism established in

the Constitution?◦Why do you think this was something the

Framers developed?

How is federalism different from the concept of the “separation of powers?”

How is this different from the principle of checks and balances?

FIGURE 3.1: Where does governmental authority come from? 3.1

British Colonial Rule

Powerful British Government

Political Subunits (Colonies) – some self-government, but not much

Unitary System – all power flows from one central government

Articles of Confederation1781 – 1789 – RIP

Confederate System – power concentrated in political subunits (states) with a weak central government (typically unite for a common goal)

The US Constitution

Central US government

State governments

Federal System – powers are divided and/or shared between state and central governments (Current gov’t designed by framers)- Key component: states/subdivisions have the final word on some decisions

FIGURE 3.3: How many governments exist in the United States?

3.1

When do national and state governments work together?

3.1

Analyzing our Federal System

What advantages does the federal system provide our nation?

What problems exist because of our federal system?

What is the difference between the states’ rights position and the nationalist position with regard to government power?

Explore the Simulation: You Are a Federal Judge

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_longman_media_1/2013_mpsl_sim/simulation.html?simulaURL=3

3.1

Consider: How has federalism seemed to follow a “back and forth” course over American history?

Homework: Assignment 12 for Tuesday; Collaborize by Mon.

Madison’s Arguments in Federalist 39The topic: Whether the nature of the republic created by

the Constitution is of a “wholly (con)federal or wholly national character.”◦ This was intended to answer critics who said the Constitution

consolidated the states into a unitary government, and took away the sovereignty of the states entirely.

 Madison claims that the nature of the government is

indeed not wholly federal, or wholly national, but rather a composition of both. He cites the following four areas to make his argument.◦ Foundation: States will ratify the Constitution (F)◦ Sources of power: House and Senate, President (F/N)◦ Extent: states have some control (F/N)◦ Amendments: process includes states and national gov. (F/N)

Consider: Do you think we are in a period where the federal government is asserting itself, or where states seem to be gaining in power vis-à-vis the fed?

Homework: Assignment 12 for tomorrow; Unit 1 test Th/Fr

"President Obama warned that the government could shut down in two weeks. Obama added, 'Not because of a budget impasse but because we'll all be watching the last episode of 'Breaking Bad.'" –Conan O'Brien

"Starbucks announced they don't want customers bringing guns into their stores. Meanwhile, Dunkin' Donuts said there is nothing you can bring in here that's more dangerous than what we serve." –Conan O'Brien

"Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff is apparently so mad over the NSA's spying scandal that she has canceled her trip to the White House next month. Of course it didn't help when Brazil called to say they weren't coming and the White House was like, 'Yeah, we heard.'" –Jimmy Fallon

"Cher has turned down an invitation to sing at the 2014 Olympics in Russia because of Russia's anti-gay laws. Their anti-gay laws are so strict, men can be arrested just for showing up at a Cher concert." –Jay Leno

Federalism and the Marshall Court

Defining National Power: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Affirming National Power: Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Limiting the Bill of Rights: Barron v. Baltimore (1833)

3.2

Defining National Power: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

First Court decision to define national and state government relationship

Could Congress charter a bank? Could states tax it?

Ruling: Congress’ power to charter a bank falls

under its power to tax, etc. States cannot tax because the nat’l gov

needs to remain supreme

3.2

Affirming National Power: Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Congress’s authority under commerce clause disputed

Power to regulate just products or commercial activity too?

Ruling:Congress can regulate commercial activityNew York had no authority to grant

monopoly

3.2

Limiting the Bill of Rights: Barron v. Baltimore (1833)

Due process clauseGuaranteed by Fifth AmendmentAction by state, not federal,

government caused damagesFederal government not at fault for

state actions

3.2

States Assert Their Powers: Nullification

Nullification States declare federal laws invalid

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) Unconstitutional

“Tariff of Abominations” (1828) Southern states use nullification to resist

anti-slavery laws

3.3

States’ Rights and the Dred Scott Decision

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) Slaves were property, not citizens Congress could not ban slavery in new territories Enhanced states’ power

3.3

The Rehnquist Court

Appointed by Reagan Committed to states’ rights Rolled back federal authority

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

3.6

United States v. LopezFactsThe Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 (GFSZA) made it

unlawful for any individual knowingly to possess a firearm at a place that he knew or had reasonable cause to believe was a school zone. Alfonso Lopez, Jr., a 12th-grade student, carried a concealed and loaded handgun into his high school and was arrested and charged under Texas law with firearm possession on school premises. The next day, the state charges were dismissed after federal agents charged Lopez with violating the Act.

IssuesDoes the GFSZA exceed Congress’ authority under the

Commerce Clause?What categories of activity may Congress regulate

under its commerce power?

Holding and Rule (Rehnquist)Yes. The GFSZA exceeded Congress’ authority under the Commerce

Clause. The three broad categories of activity that Congress may regulate under

its commerce power are: ◦ a) the use of the channels of interstate commerce; ◦ b) the instrumentalities of interstate commerce, or persons or things in

interstate commerce, even though the threat may come only from intrastate activities; and

◦ c) those activities having a “substantial relation” to interstate commerce, i.e., those activities that substantially affect interstate commerce.

The Supreme Court held that the GFSZA exceeded Congress’ Commerce Clause authority. The possession of a gun in a local school zone is in no sense an economic activity that might, through repetition elsewhere, have a substantial effect on interstate commerce.

Neither the Act itself nor its legislative history expresses congressional findings regarding the effects of gun possession in a school zone on interstate commerce. To uphold the Government’s contention that the Act is justified because firearms possession in a local school zone does indeed substantially affect interstate commerce would require this Court to pile inference upon inference in a manner that would convert congressional Commerce Clause authority to a general police power of the sort held only by the States.

Dissents in US vs. LopezDissent (Stevens) Guns are articles of commerce and can be used to interfere with

commerce. The national interest justifies prohibiting their use by children in school.

Dissent (Souter) The only inquiry should be whether the legislative judgment is within

the realm of reason. Congress should have plenary power to legislate under the Commerce Clause as long as the law passes the rational basis test.

Dissent (Breyer) Violence in schools interferes with the quality of education and

education is inextricably tied to the economy. Congress could have rationally concluded that the possession of guns in school zones is related to interstate commerce. The majority contradicts well settled precedent that has permitted Congress to regulate noncommercial activity affecting interstate commerce.

The Roberts Court

Has decided in favor of the federal government more often Immigration Health care reform – Obamacare decision

3.6

The ACA case(s)Does Congress have power under Article I,

Section 8 of the Constitution, specifically under the Commerce Clause or the Taxing and Spending Clause, to require most Americans to purchase health insurance?

Is the individual mandate severable from the ACA?

Did Congress exceed its enumerated powers and violate principles of federalism when it pressured States into accepting conditions that Congress could not impose directly by threatening to withhold all federal funding under Medicaid, the single largest grant-in-aid program?

Can you have your cake and eat it too? Dual federalism, also known as "layer cake federalism" involves

clearly enumerated powers between the national and state governments, and sovereignty in equal spheres. This relationship predominated from the 1790s to 1930.

Cooperative federalism, also known as "marble cake federalism," involved the national and state governments sharing functions and collaborating on major national priorities. This relationship predominated between 1930 and 1960.

Creative federalism, also known as "picket fence federalism," predominated during the period of 1960 to 1980. This relationship was characterized by overloaded cooperation and crosscutting regulations.

Finally, progressive federalism, is characterized by both a cooperative and coercive relationship. Sometimes referred to as "on your own federalism," is characterized by further devolution of power from national to state governments (deregulation), but also increased use of mandates to implement national standards.

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3.6Video: In the Real World