Main content
US government and civics
Course: US government and civics > Unit 1
Lesson 8: The relationship between the states and the federal government- Federalism in the United States
- Categorical grants, mandates, and the Commerce Clause
- Article IV of the Constitution
- The relationship between the states and the federal government
- The relationship between the states and the federal government: lesson overview
- The relationship between the states and the federal government
© 2023 Khan AcademyTerms of usePrivacy PolicyCookie Notice
The relationship between the states and the federal government: lesson overview
A high-level overview of the relationship between the states and the federal government.
Government in the United States is shared between local, state, and federal governments. The distribution of power between state and national governments has changed over time in response to societal needs.
Key terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| block grants | Federal grants issued to states or local governments to support broad programs |
| categorical grants | Federal grants restricted to specific purposes |
| concurrent powers | Powers shared by the federal government and state governments, e.g. lawmaking and taxation |
| exclusive powers | Powers reserved either to the federal government or state governments |
| federalism | Political system that organizes government into two or more levels with independent powers; in the United States this consists of local, state, and national governments |
| federal revenue sharing | The practice of sharing federal income tax revenue with state and local governments |
| mandate | A requirement that states or local governments meet a specific condition in order to receive federal aid |
Document to know
The US Constitution: Articles IV and V of the US Constitution outline the federal system used in the United States today.
Article IV establishes that the states will give “full faith and credit” to the laws of other states. For example, if a citizen gets legally married in one state, he is still married if he moves to another state. Likewise, if a citizen commits a crime in one state, she cannot escape to another state and evade justice. States also can’t discriminate against citizens of other states if they move; any US citizen who moves to a state is entitled to the same “privileges and immunities” of citizenship in that state as someone born there.
Article IV also promises states the protection of the federal government. It does this by promising to defend states against invasion, guaranteeing them a republican form of government, and barring the federal government from splitting up a state without the consent of its legislature and Congress.
Article V describes the process of amending the Constitution, which requires the ratification of three-quarters of the states. This provision of the Constitution demonstrates the importance of the states in approving the workings of the US government.
Exclusive and concurrent powers of state and federal governments
| Exclusive federal powers | Concurrent powers | Exclusive state powers |
|---|---|---|
| Coining money | Taxation | Conducting elections |
| Regulating interstate and foreign commerce | Lawmaking and enforcement | Establishing local governments |
| Regulating the mail | Chartering banks and corporations | Providing for public safety, health, welfare |
| Declaring war | Taking land for public use (eminent domain) | Maintaining militia |
| Raising armies | Establishing courts | Ratifying Constitutional amendments |
| Conducting foreign affairs | Borrowing money | Regulating intrastate commerce |
| Establishing inferior courts | ||
| Establishing rules of naturalization |
Key takeaways
Constitutional allocation of power: In addition to the separation of powers and system of checks and balances that guard against any one branch of the federal government becoming too powerful, federalism separates the powers of the federal and state governments as an added security measure to reign in government power. The federal system grants states large autonomy over lawmaking within their borders, so long as they do not violate citizens’ rights or contradict federal laws. The federal government is also able to assert power over the states through grants and mandates.
This system allows local state governments to be responsive to the particular needs of their citizens while binding the states together into a larger nation.
Review questions
Name one power exclusive to the federal government and one power exclusive to state governments. Now, name two concurrent powers shared by both state governments and the federal government.
Why is the American system of government divided into three levels? What is the impact of the federal system on US policymaking?
Why are certain powers reserved to different levels of government? Can you make a generalization about the kinds of powers reserved to the federal government vs. the kinds of powers reserved to state governments?
Want to join the conversation?
Should the Federal government devolve more power to the state governments because policymaking is more effective at the state level?(6 votes)- it is because of that it is at a Federal level that would simply give them to much power.(0 votes)
I have a question. What is essential differences between unitary, confederate, and federal systems of government?
Thanks!(3 votes)
Unitary governmmental systems place high emphasis on the central government, while federal governments delegate more power to individual regions of the country. A confederacy is formed when separate states consolidate their power into a weaker federal government, kind of the opposite of a unitary government. Hope this helps!(3 votes)
Let's say the state of South Carolina wanted to make their own Carolinian dollars and the federal government approved. How would the trade between South Carolina and other states happen if they only accepted Carolinian dollars? What are the advantages of this? Because all I see are disadvantages.
Thanks bunches!
-Izzy.(1 vote)
How do federal mandates affect the government specifically? I know that states are forced to comply with those mandates, but how does it affect decisions made in the government? In short, what are the advantages and disadvantages of federal mandates? Thanks!(1 vote)
A law is a bill that went through the legislative system (whether on the state or national level) and came into being like so.
An example of a mandate is an executive order issued by the US president (or governor for a state). Executive orders/actions and mandates have also been a topic of controversy. Presidents argue that the following clause gives them the power to executive actions: "The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America."
They say that in order to do their job (enforce the laws) they need to make executive orders (with the force of law) to specify and ensure that these laws are followed. Of course, the courts require that the presidents make all of their decisions based upon the Constitution, but as we all know power is a slippery slope.
So for example, I do not know what argument people would give for a "Mask Mandate" (on any level), but I do not believe there is any place in the Constitution that gives the government power to restrict our actions in that way.
The conclusion of the matter is that mandates are often used to "get the job done quickly," often extending outside of the president's/mayor's/governor's jurisdiction in the process.
This is a huge topic in itself, and it has also been a controversial topic. Some executive actions have been great, such as the Emancipation Proclamation, and others, such as the Executive Order 9066 (putting Japanese in intermet camps), are widely recognized as horrible executive orders.
Hope this helps.(1 vote)
- Exclusive to Federal Government: Raise armies.
Exclusive to the States: Regulating Intrastate commerce.(1 vote) - why the the federal government and one power exclusive to state governments.(0 votes)
- 1. The federal government has the exclusive power to raise an army. The state governments have the exclusive power to vote to ratify an amendment. Both the federal government and the state governments can collet taxes and charter banks.
2. The American government is divided into three levels to fit the needs of differing regions. The federal system allows different regions to have different policies and laws, but it also requires them to follow certain policies and laws from the level(s) above.
3. Certain powers are reserved to different levels of government to support distribution of power. Federal and state governments both have the ability to influence the level of government below them.(0 votes) - How has the relationship between the federal and state governments evolved(0 votes)
- Why do some people conterfit money?(0 votes)
Because they don't want to work for their money, so they decide to commit a crime instead.(2 votes)
- Unitary governmental systems place a high emphasis on the central government, while federal governments delegate more power to individual regions of the country.(0 votes)