POLI 201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Dual Federalism, Implied Powers, Cooperative Federalism
7 Sep 2016
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Chapter 3: federalism and the separation of powers. Federalism divides power into two levels national and state. Separation of powers divides each level of government against itself. These two institutional features limit the power of the government by dispersing power and making collective action difficult. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions. Federalism and the separation of powers are important precautions against the tyranny of the majority. Institutions are subject to revision and modification as competing forces seek new decision rules that will give them an advantage. Federalism and separation of powers have evolved considerably overtime. Some at the constitutional convention particularly alexander hamilton, preferred an even stronger national government than one they created. The well-established history of the state governments was an important reason the states retained so much power.
