POLS 1101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Enumerated Powers, Federalism In The United States, Implied Powers
7 Dec 2015
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Document Summary
A system in which authority is divided btw 2 or more distinct layers/levels of government. Each level can pass laws and enforce these laws on the citizens under their jurisdiction. Get power from citizens and constitution: unitary constitution, confederation. Sub governmental units gets power from federal government, not. Citizens-> national government -> sub governmental units. Power emanates from governing document and then to sub governmental units then to federal government. Any power left over from state level go to national government. Qualifications for a federal system: the same people and territory are included in both levels of government. Advantages of federalism: protection of liberty. Founders intentionally created a state where there is competition within and among the governing units to protect individual liberties: dispersion of power. Vertically with federal and state governments: increasing participation. Electing multiple democratic leadership positions involves the nation. Citizens can run for and hold elected office: improving efficiency.
