Chapter 6
How does the power flow through
our federal system of government?
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Essential question: How does power flow
through our federal system of
government?
Wolves, Yellowstone and federal
involvement in state governments. (p. 97)
What is the main issue presented in the
introduction?
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 Why
did the gray wolf population become a
government issue?
 What
were the national government's
arguments?
 What
were the state governments' arguments?
 How
do you think power might flow through our
federal system of government?
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
Copy the Venn diagram into your notebook. Give a
definition & at least 2 examples of powers for each part
of the diagram. Then answer this question: What are the
benefits & drawbacks of a federal system? (pg. 98-100)
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 The
Constitutional Division of Powers
Expressed Power
• Powers specifically granted to the national
government
Concurrent Power
• Powers shared by national and state
governments
Reserved Power
• Powers not specifically delegated to the
national government
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6
 The
Benefits and Drawbacks of a Federal
System
Benefits
Drawbacks
Protects against
tyranny of the
majority
Lack of
consistency of
laws and policies
from state to state
Promotes unity
without imposing
uniformity
Tension that is
created between
state and federal
officials
Creates
“laboratories” for
policy
experiments
Constitution does
not always draw a
clear line between
national and state
powers
Encourages
political
participation
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Dual Federalism: 1790-1933
The two levels of government are a part of the whole, but each has its
own clearly delineated responsibilities.
Cooperative Federalism: The Great Depression of the 1930’s
National and state government share some responsibilities.
Regulated Federalism: 1960’s
Increase in federal involvement in state and local governments.
State and local governments carried out federal programs with the
use of federal grants
New Federalism: 1970’s and 1980’s
Return of power to the states (devolution)
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 The
U.S. Constitution requires every state
constitution to support “a republican
form of government.”
 In
contrast to the U.S. Constitution, state
constitutions tend to change frequently.
• Turn to the map on page 105
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
Interstate Compacts –
agreements among the
States (needs
Congressional consent)



Full Faith and Credit
Clause – each state must
honor the legality of
every other state’s civil
laws.
• Driver’s license, marriage
license, birth certificate
Extradition – a fugitive
from one state is
returned to that state.
Privileges and
Immunities Clause - no
state can draw
unreasonable
distinctions between its
own residents & people
living in other states
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