Chapter summary imageIn late 2005, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation aimed at enforcing the nation's immigration laws.

Federalism and Public Policy

Agenda Building

  • Each level of government has its own policy agenda and procedures for policy adoption. Individuals and groups seeking to influence the official policy agenda may lobby Congress or an executive agency at the national level, a state legislature, or a unit of local government.
  • State and local governments have adopted legislation to address some policy issues because the federal government has failed to act. Frustrated with a lack of federal action on illegal immigration, many states have adopted measures designed to address the issue.

Policy Formulation and Adoption

  • The federal system affects policy formulation. To a degree, each state is a policy laboratory, and both the federal government and other states draw from the experiences of particular states in formulating their own policies. For example, policymakers across the nation are closely watching the implementation of a healthcare program in Massachusetts aimed at providing universal health insurance coverage. If the Massachusetts plan proves successful, it could be the basis of a national program.
  • The federal system influences policy adoption. Most policy issues in the United States are addressed by policies adopted by more than one unit and level of government. The national government, state governments, and local governments all adopt policies concerning issues such as education, healthcare, the environment, resource development, and law enforcement.
  • The national government affects state and local policy adoption through mandates, which require states and localities to take certain actions. The Clean Air Act requires state and local governments to adopt regulations designed to decrease air pollution.
  • The federal government prevents state and local governments from making policy in some policy areas. States may not regulate airlines, bus and trucking companies, mutual funds, or the telecommunications industry.

Policy Implementation and Evaluation

  • Federalism affects policy implementation. Many of the policies adopted by the national government require implementation by state and local officials, including federal policies dealing with welfare, transportation, environmental protection, and healthcare.
  • Finally, the federal system influences policy evaluation. Public officials at all levels of government evaluate policy and give feedback. Congress uses feedback from evaluation reports to redesign federal programs.

Key Terms

Appropriations Process

the procedure through which Congress legislatively allocates money for a particular purpose

Authorization Process

the procedure through which Congress legislatively establishes and defines a program, but does not actually provide funding for it

Block Grant Program

a federal grant program that provides money for a program in a broad, general policy area

Categorical Grant Program

a federal grant program that provides funds to state and local governments for a fairly narrow, specific purpose

Delegated Or Enumerated Powers

the powers explicitly granted to the national government by the Constitution

Executive Power

the power to enforce laws

Extradition

the return from one state to another of a person accused of a crime

Federal Grant Program

a program through which the national government gives money to state and local governments to spend in accordance with set standards and conditions

Federal Preemption of State Authority

an act of Congress adopting regulatory policies that overrule state policies in a particular regulatory area

Federal System

a political system that divides power between a central government, with authority over the whole nation, and a series of state governments

Formula Grant Program

a grant program that awards funding on the basis of a formula established by Congress

Full Faith And Credit Clause

the constitutional provision requiring that states recognize the official acts of other states, such as marriages, divorces, adoptions, court orders, and other legal decisions

Implied Powers

those powers of Congress not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, but derived by implication from the delegated powers

Judicial Power

the power to interpret laws

Legislative Power

the power to make laws

Matching Funds Requirement

the legislative provision that the national government will provide grant money for a particular activity only on the condition that the state or local government involved supplies a certain percentage of the total money required for the project or program

Medicaid

a federal program designed to provide health insurance to low income persons, people with disabilities, and elderly people who are impoverished

National Supremacy Clause

the constitutional provision that declares that the Constitution and laws of the United States take precedence over the constitutions and laws of the states

Necessary And Proper Clause/Elastic Clause

the Constitutional provision found in Article I, Section 8 that declares that [Congress shall have the power] to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or office thereof. It is the basis for much of the legislation passed by Congress because it gives Congress the means to exercise its delegated authority.

New Deal

a legislative package of reform measures proposed by President Franklin Roosevelt for dealing with the Great Depression

Power of The Purse

the control of the finances of government

Privileges And Immunities Clause

the constitutional provision prohibiting state governments from discriminating against the citizens of other states

Project Grant Program

a grant program that requires state and local governments to compete for available federal money

Republic

a representative democracy in which citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions on their behalf

Reserved/Residual Powers

the powers of government left to the states

States' Rights

an interpretation of the Constitution that favors limiting the authority of the federal government while expanding the powers of the states

Discussion Questions

1. What are the delegated powers? What are implied powers? Give several examples.

2. According to the Constitution, which level of government takes preeminence, the national level or the state level?

3. Compare and contrast the arguments presented by the advocates of states’ rights and the supporters of a strong national government.

4. What is the significance of McCulloch v. Maryland?

5. What are some of the conditions attached to the receipt of federal funds?

Interactive Activity

Timeline: Federalism and the Supreme Court

The tensions built into the United States system of federalism have manifested themselves in a constant struggle for power between the national government and the states. Often, the U.S. Supreme Court has been called upon to resolve disputes over federalism. In this timeline activity, you will explore some of the well-known Supreme Court decisions addressing the national-state balance of power. How has the balance of power between the states and the national government changed since 1787? What specific events and issues have played a role in altering this balance of power?

View Timeline

“Talking About American Government” Podcasts

Author Neal Tannahill discusses the most important concepts in this chapter

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