Federalism
In the United States, the
division of power between a central government, state government, and local government is called Federalism. Through the Constitution, this division of power between the levels created a The Supremacy Clause (Article VI - Section 2 in the Constitution) ensures that the national government is supreme. The national government gets to make decisions and laws about things that effect the whole country, like conduct foreign policy, regulates commerce, and provide for the common defense (maintain a military).
Different levels of government are able to make decisions and laws about certain issues. Enumerated or Expressed Powers are powers listed in the U.S. Constitution for the National Government. For example, the federal government determines what our currency looks like, the values of our currency, and how much is made a year. They also get to make treaties with other countries that determine our trade agreements and military alliances. Implied Powers are powers not listed in the Constitution, but are necessary to carry out the enumerated or expressed powers. Reserved Powers are powers given specifically to the State governments. Most of the powers of the state governments fall under promoting public health, safety, and welfare. For example, the state gets to make decisions about trade regulations within the state. This may include if there is a sales tax or fast food tax. The states also get to administer elections by deciding where people will vote, what the hours of voting will be, and how people will vote. Concurrent Powers are powers shared by national and state governments. For example, both levels of government get to set up and maintain prisons. They also maintain roads and highways.
Different levels of government are able to make decisions and laws about certain issues. Enumerated or Expressed Powers are powers listed in the U.S. Constitution for the National Government. For example, the federal government determines what our currency looks like, the values of our currency, and how much is made a year. They also get to make treaties with other countries that determine our trade agreements and military alliances. Implied Powers are powers not listed in the Constitution, but are necessary to carry out the enumerated or expressed powers. Reserved Powers are powers given specifically to the State governments. Most of the powers of the state governments fall under promoting public health, safety, and welfare. For example, the state gets to make decisions about trade regulations within the state. This may include if there is a sales tax or fast food tax. The states also get to administer elections by deciding where people will vote, what the hours of voting will be, and how people will vote. Concurrent Powers are powers shared by national and state governments. For example, both levels of government get to set up and maintain prisons. They also maintain roads and highways.
* Expansion of the Federal (National) government into the powers traditionally reserved for the states alters relationship of states to the
national government creating tensions when federal mandates
require state
action without adequate funding.
Checks and Balances
Separation of Powers is the separating power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches helps prevent any one branch from abusing its power. Checks and Balances is the system of checks and balances between branches was created to balance the powers in the government.
Jobs of the Branches of Government
•Executive Branch: Executes the law
•Legislative Branch: Makes the laws
•Judicial Branch: Interprets the laws
Jobs of the Branches of Government
•Executive Branch: Executes the law
•Legislative Branch: Makes the laws
•Judicial Branch: Interprets the laws
Each branch has power that allows it to "check" the other branches.
The Legislative Branch checks the Executive Branch when the Congress checks the president when legislators override presidential vetoes and impeach and convict a president. The Legislative Branch checks the Judicial Branch when the Congress checks the courts when legislators confirm or refuse to confirm judges/justices and impeach and convict judges/justices.
The Executive Branch checks the Legislative Branch when the president checks Congress when the president proposes legislation, prepares an annual budget for Congress to approve, call special sessions of Congress, vetoes legislation Congress has passed. The Executive Branch checks the Judicial Branch when the president checks the courts when the president appoints (nominates ) judges/justices.
The Judicial Branch checks the Legislative Branch when the courts check Congress when judges/justices declare acts of Congress to be unconstitutional. The Judicial Branch checks the Executive Branch when the courts check the president when judges/justices by declaring executive actions to be unconstitutional.
The Legislative Branch checks the Executive Branch when the Congress checks the president when legislators override presidential vetoes and impeach and convict a president. The Legislative Branch checks the Judicial Branch when the Congress checks the courts when legislators confirm or refuse to confirm judges/justices and impeach and convict judges/justices.
The Executive Branch checks the Legislative Branch when the president checks Congress when the president proposes legislation, prepares an annual budget for Congress to approve, call special sessions of Congress, vetoes legislation Congress has passed. The Executive Branch checks the Judicial Branch when the president checks the courts when the president appoints (nominates ) judges/justices.
The Judicial Branch checks the Legislative Branch when the courts check Congress when judges/justices declare acts of Congress to be unconstitutional. The Judicial Branch checks the Executive Branch when the courts check the president when judges/justices by declaring executive actions to be unconstitutional.