Federalism

It’s ALIVE!

• A “living” document

• Can be changed

• Amendment process

• Interpreted by the Supreme Court

• Ratified by the states

• FLEXIBLE

Federalism

The federal (national) government shares powers with the state government

State

Powers

State Government

Creates

schools

Issues licenses

State Government

State Government

Regulates interstate trade

State Government

Holds elections

State Government

Establishes

local government

State GovernmentRatifies amendments to the Constitution

Shared powers

Shared powers

Set up courts

Shared powers

Build roads

Shared powers

Borrow money

Shared powers

Make and enforce

laws

Shared powersCharter banks and corporations

Create and collect

taxes

Shared powers

Federal powers

Federal Government

Declares war

Federal Government

Makes

treaties

Federal GovernmentCreates a postal system

Federal Government

Prints & coins money

Federal GovernmentRegulates intrastate trade and foreign trade

Federal GovernmentMaintains army & navy

Federal Government

Has Elastic Clause powers

Maintains system of weights and measures

Federal Government