Government and politics concepts · AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP U.S. History
Federalism
Federalism: A system in which power is divided between a national government and state governments, each with its own areas of authority.
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What it means
The Constitution grants certain powers to the national government (enumerated powers), reserves others to the states (Tenth Amendment), and lets both exercise some powers (concurrent powers such as taxation). The balance has shifted over time through court decisions, constitutional amendments and federal funding.
Fiscal federalism describes how the national government uses grants, such as categorical and block grants, and mandates to influence state policy.
Example
States set most rules for elections and education, but the national government attaches conditions to federal education funding, shaping state policy without directly controlling it.
On the exam
Federalism appears throughout Unit 1 and in many concept application scenarios about conflicts between state and federal policy.
Lessons and practice questions
Related terms
- Separation of powersThe division of government's legislative, executive and judicial functions among separate branches.
- Commerce clauseThe constitutional provision giving Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the states and with Native American tribes.
- Necessary and proper clauseThe clause in Article I, Section 8 that allows Congress to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.
- McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)The Supreme Court case that upheld Congress's implied power to create a national bank and barred states from taxing it.