Research a Supreme Court case that involved federalism. For example, look for a

Question

case that considered whether a state law was constitutional. What public policy was
being addressed by the state, and what did the Supreme Court decide? Explain
whether the Supreme Court’s decision fell under the category of cooperative
federalism or dual federalism.
Identify the case and explain the issues involved:
Explain the difference between cooperative and dual federalism:
Explain the outcome of the case:

Answer 1

One seminal Supreme Court case that involved federalism is McCulloch v. Maryland (1819). This case is an important example of how the balance of power between the federal and state governments has been interpreted by the Supreme Court, specifically addressing issues related to federal authority and state rights.

Case Overview

Issues Involved: In McCulloch v. Maryland, the issues revolved around the constitutionality of the Second Bank of the United States and whether the state of Maryland had the authority to impose a tax on the bank. The state of Maryland had introduced a tax that effectively targeted the federal bank, and James McCulloch, the bank's cashier, refused to pay the tax, leading to a legal challenge.

The questions presented were:

1. Does Congress have the authority to establish a national bank?
2. Can a state tax a federal institution?

Cooperative vs. Dual Federalism

• Cooperative Federalism refers to a model of federalism in which the national and state governments work together to carry out policies. This often involves overlapping functions and responsibilities, with the two levels of government cooperating to serve the public.

• Dual Federalism, on the other hand, delineates strict separation between federal and state powers, where each level of government is seen as operating independently within its own sphere. There is little overlap, and it emphasizes the idea that states have reserved powers that the federal government cannot encroach upon.

Outcome of the Case

The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice John Marshall, ruled in favor of McCulloch, concluding that:

1. Congress had the implied power to establish the Bank of the United States under the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution. This clause allows Congress to take actions not explicitly outlined in the Constitution if they are deemed necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.

2. Maryland's attempt to tax the bank was unconstitutional, as it interfered with federal authority. The ruling stated, “the power to tax involves the power to destroy,” emphasizing that a state could not use its taxing power to hinder federal institutions.

Federalism Category

The decision in McCulloch v. Maryland aligns more with cooperative federalism than dual federalism. The ruling reinforced the concept that both federal and state governments could operate in tandem but acknowledged that federal laws and institutions could not be impeded by state actions. This case set a precedent for a stronger federal government and established a framework where states and the federal government could work together, albeit with the federal government holding supremacy in certain matters.

In summary, McCulloch v. Maryland addressed critical questions regarding the distribution of power between federal and state governments, highlighting the framework of cooperative federalism in action through the interpretation of the Necessary and Proper Clause and the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution.