Federal Systems of Government and Grants

Federal Systems of Government

• Federal system: Power divided between national and state governments; exemplified by the USA with a national government and individual state governments.
• Confederate system: Weak central government, strong state control; originally seen in the 13 colonies under the Articles of Confederation.
• Unitary system: Local governments derive authority from a strong national government; seen in the UK, where regional parliaments are subordinate to the national Parliament.

Types of Grants

• Grant-in-aid: Federal funding to states for specific projects; e.g., Congress funding California to build railroads.
• Block grants: Broad-purpose grants with fewer restrictions; e.g., funding for various infrastructure projects in Florida.
• Categorical grants: Specific-purpose funds with strict spending guidelines; e.g., federal funding for educational resources like textbooks.
• Revenue-sharing grants: Unrestricted federal funds distributed to states based on formulas like GDP and population; e.g., equitable distribution among states.

Legislative Processes

• Referendum: Direct voter approval for proposed laws or amendments, allowing citizen participation in legislation.
• Initiative: Citizens' right to propose new laws or amendments, enabling grassroots legislative change.
• Recall: Voter process for removing elected officials from office based on performance or competency concerns.

Powers and Authorities

• Delegated Powers: Powers exclusively held by the national government, such as coining money.
• Supremacy clause: Establishes that the Constitution and federal laws override conflicting state laws within constitutional limits.
• Mandates: Required federal rules that states must follow regardless of funding.
• Sovereignty: Supreme political authority vested in the Constitution, ensuring federal supremacy.

Federalism and Governance

• Cooperative federalism: Collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, represented as "marble cake" federalism.
• Dual Federalism: Distinct separation of responsibilities for state and federal governments, exemplified by state control over intrastate commerce.
• Necessary and proper clause: Grants Congress the power to enact laws deemed necessary for fulfilling its duties, forming the basis for implied powers.
• Reserved Powers: Powers not granted to the national government, retained by the states, such as making laws regarding marriage.
• Commerce Clause: Grants Congress authority to regulate interstate commerce; significant in cases like Gibbons v. Ogden concerning river trade.

Evolution of Federalism

• Devolution (New Federalism): The transfer of responsibilities from the national government to the states, allowing for greater local autonomy and flexibility in fund allocation.