Political Science 1100, Introduction to American Politics, January 28, 2015
Current Events
Federalism
How and Why
do Americans fight about states' rights and federalism?
1. WHAT IS FEDERALISM?
In a federal political
system, political authority is divided by a constitution between a central
government and regional governments
Examples:
Canada, Australia, U.S.
(As Opposed To A Unitary System, Such As Britain Or France)
2. WHO CARES ABOUT
FEDERALISM?
A. States Affect Everyone's
Lives
B. States do things differently
Obamacare
Gay marriage
The Minimum wage
3. FEDERALISM AND NATIONAL
POLITICS:
Interstate economic competition
The Economic Shift to the
Sunbelt
The Political Shift to the
Sunbelt:
Population Shifts Result In
Shifts In ....
... The distribution of Seats In The House Of
Representatives,
.... and Therefore in The Electoral College that elects
the President