American Government Federalism

Powers the Constitution gives to the national government; expressed, implied, and inherent powers.

(Enumerated powers) Powers directly expressed or stated in the Constitution by the Founders. (First three articles of the Const.) (To levy and collect taxes, to coin money, to make war, to raise an army/navy, to regulate commerce among states)

Powers that the national government requires to carry out the powers that are expressly defined in the Constitution. Not specifically listed, implied powers spring for and depend upon the expressed powers. (To draft people into armed forces)

Powers that the national government may exercise simply because it is a government (Control immigration, establish diplomatic relations w/ other countries)

Powers reserved by the Constitution, strictly for the states. (Regulate intrastate commerce, establish local government systems, administer elections, protect the public’s health, welfare, and morals)

Article VI, Section 2, of the Constitution makes the acts and treaties of the U.S. supreme.

Powers that both the national government and the states have. (Levy taxes, borrow money, spend for the general welfare, establish courts, enact and enforce laws)

Powers that no level of government has control over. Article I, Section 9, that national government can’t tax exports, can’t interfere with the ability of states to carry out their responsibilities.

A system of government in which powers divided by a constitution between a central government and regional government

State governments are sovereign; give powers to central government; current example: European Union – Germany, France, Italy, etc.

Shares powers with states

Central government has primary authority; Ex: Great Britain

o Each enumerated power is necessary and proper
o Coining money, taxing, army, declaring war, regulating interstate commerce
o Imp. to give up power to protect the people, security should be under national government
o National government: protect the welfare of the people
o State and national government will be interdependent
o States are a constitute of the nation government
o Less people working for the national rather than the state
o Powers to federal government: few and defined
o Powers to state are numerous and indefinite
o Not proposing new powers for government; only strengthening original