Unit 1: Federalism
Lesson 7: Growth of Federal Power
Centralization is...
The process by which the federal government increases its power and authority over issues that may traditionally be handled at the state or local level. This can involve more control over policy areas, decision-making, and funding.
States’ Rights advocates argue against centralization with the following arguments:
- Preservation of Local Governance: States should have the autonomy to govern themselves based on their unique cultural, economic, and social needs without federal interference, promoting democratic self-governance.
- Constitutional Limitation of Federal Power: The U.S. Constitution outlines specific powers for the federal government, and anything not explicitly granted should be reserved for the states (10th Amendment).
- Increased Bureaucracy and Inefficiency: Centralization may lead to a larger federal bureaucracy that can create inefficiency and hinder quick responses to local issues compared to state governance.
Factors Leading to Centralization
- The need for a uniform policy on issues such as civil rights and public health.
- Economic crises that require coordinated federal responses, such as the Great Depression.
- Supreme Court rulings that expand federal power and authority.
- National interests during wartime that necessitate federal intervention.
- Social movements that mobilize federal action in areas like civil rights, education, and healthcare.
Incorporation Doctrine is…
The legal doctrine whereby many of the rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights are applied to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This has resulted in the expansion of federal protections for individual rights at the state level.
This leads to...
Increased uniformity in the protection of civil liberties across the United States, meaning that states cannot infringe upon the rights granted to individuals by the federal Bill of Rights.
Commerce Clause is…
A provision in the U.S. Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, with foreign nations, and with Native American tribes. It has been interpreted broadly to justify a range of federal regulations.
The Commerce Clause was used to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by...
Justifying federal intervention in discrimination cases, arguing that such discrimination affected interstate commerce. This allowed Congress to prohibit discrimination in public accommodations and employment, as it was deemed detrimental to the economic relations among states.
Federal Grants are…
Monetary awards given by the federal government to state or local governments for specific purposes, often with conditions attached. They can include categorical grants (for specific projects) and block grants (general purpose).
Mandates are…
Requirements that the federal government imposes on state or local governments, often requiring them to comply with certain regulations or conditions to receive federal funds. These can be either funded (with federal money) or unfunded (no funding provided).
Cooperative Federalism is…
A system of federalism where the national, state, and local governments work together to solve problems. This is characterized by collaborative relationships and shared responsibilities in areas like education, healthcare, and infrastructure, breaking down the traditional barriers between the levels of government.