Cooperative Federalism
Federalism is defined as “the federal principle or system of government”. This concept of “federalism” is explored in Lowi et al and Zimmerman. These two sources list and define two types of federalism. The first type they list is dual federalism, the second one is cooperative federalism. One of the most distinctive differences between the two is how the powers of the national and state governments are defined, this ties into the classic struggle of Founding Fathers: How should power be separated between the states and the national government? Both of these systems are used in our Constitution, however, I believe our current situation in the United States best fits under the system of cooperative federalism. These concepts I will explore in
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This system has many similarities to those of our current system of government. Cooperative federalism centers around the concept of a national government that cooperates with the state governments by sharing different powers. National and states governments regularly negotiate powers and responsibilities. In addition to enumerated powers, Congress has more lenient powers that they can use. Cooperative federalism is shown in our Constitution in the Supremacy Clause. “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.”(Supremacy) This shows that despite state’s rights, the federal government still has sovereignty. This blending of the powers is paramount to the ideas of cooperative …show more content…
Ultimately, the goals of both of these systems is to create an efficient system of government for the United States that grants powers to the national and state government. Today, although we take some ideas from dual federalism, our system is largely run on a cooperative federalism system. This is shown through many different acts created by Congress or actions taken that would fit a cooperative
This system has many similarities to those of our current system of government. Cooperative federalism centers around the concept of a national government that cooperates with the state governments by sharing different powers. National and states governments regularly negotiate powers and responsibilities. In addition to enumerated powers, Congress has more lenient powers that they can use. Cooperative federalism is shown in our Constitution in the Supremacy Clause. “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.”(Supremacy) This shows that despite state’s rights, the federal government still has sovereignty. This blending of the powers is paramount to the ideas of cooperative …show more content…
Ultimately, the goals of both of these systems is to create an efficient system of government for the United States that grants powers to the national and state government. Today, although we take some ideas from dual federalism, our system is largely run on a cooperative federalism system. This is shown through many different acts created by Congress or actions taken that would fit a cooperative