86 CHAPTER 3|FEDERALISM
FEDERALISM TODAY
E Describe the major trends and debates in federalism today. Pages 68–83
SUMMARY
Today’s federal structure off ers a complex mix of all previ-
ous components of federalism: some elements of national
supremacy combine with states’ rights for a varied federal
landscape. While the federal and state governments still
exercise cooperative federalism to achieve joint policy goals,
the federal government has utilized coercive federalism to
impose federal priorities on the states without off ering com-
pensation. However, in several recent cases the Supreme
Court has ruled in favor of the states, limiting federal power.
KEY TERMS
fi scal federalism (p. 68)
categorical grants (p. 70)
block grants (p. 70)
unfunded mandates (p. 72)
coercive federalism (p. 73)
federal preemptions (p. 73)
competitive federalism (p. 75)
remedial legislation (p. 76)CRITICAL THINKING AND DISCUSSION
On which issues is the national government particularly
well suited to serve the people’s interests? Which issues are
the states better suited to handle? Explain the reasons for
your choices.PRACTICE QUIZ QUESTIONS- This form of revenue sharing is given to the states by
the federal government with explicit conditions on
how it is to be allocated.
a) block grant
b) categorical grant
c) general revenue sharing
S PRACTICE ONLINE
“Critical Thinking ” exercise: Process Matters— Federal
and State RelationshipsTHE EVOLVING CONCEPT OF FEDERALISM
E Trace the major shifts in state and federal government power over time. Pages 63–68
SUMMARY
The relationship between the state and federal govern-
ments has changed dramatically over time. Whereas the
federal and state governments traditionally operated with
little interaction under the era of dual federalism, the trend
over the past 80 years has been one of increasing federal
interaction with state governments to address particular
policy areas.
KEY TERMS
states’ rights (p. 64)
dual federalism (p. 65)
commerce clause powers (p. 67)
cooperative federalism (p. 67)
picket fence federalism (p. 68)
PRACTICE QUIZ QUESTIONS
- Which analogy best describes the federalism arrange-
ment today?
a) layer cake federalism
b) marble cake federalism
c) picket fence federalism
d) gumbo federalism
e) dual federalism- Which case bolstered the federal government’s power
over the states?
a) United States v. Lopez
b) McCulloch v. Maryland
c) Dred Scott v. Sanford
d) Mapp v. Ohio
e) U.S. v. Lopez - When did the federal government begin cooperating
with the states on policy goals?
a) 1890s
b) 1930s
c) 1950s
d) 1970s
e) 1990s