Dual Federalism
Definition
Dual federalism is a system where the powers of the federal government and state governments are clearly distinguished and operate over separate spheres of influence, with neither having authority over the other.
Analogy
Think of dual federalism like a layer cake. Each layer (the federal government and state governments) has its own distinct flavor and ingredients, but together they make up one whole cake. They don't mix or overlap; each has its own defined space within the cake.
Related terms
Federalism: This is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority (federal government) and constituent political units (state governments).
Tenth Amendment: This amendment to the US Constitution reserves powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, to be reserved for the states respectively, or to the people.
Supremacy Clause: This clause in Article VI of U.S. Constitution establishes that federal law takes precedence over state laws and even state constitutions when there's conflict between them.
"Dual Federalism" appears in:
Practice Questions (12)
Why might a shift from cooperative federalism towards dual federalism affect environmental regulation?
Why has dual federalism persisted since its inception?
What is dual federalism often symbolized by?
What does Dual Federalism refer to?
How was dual federalism demonstrated during Prohibition?
What is defined by "dual federalism"?
Why does dual federalism often get compared to "layer cake" federalism?
What is one key distinction between dual federalism and cooperative federalism?
Why has the principle of dual federalism persisted in the United States government system?
How does the concept of "dual federalism" compare to the structure of the European Union's shared sovereignty among member states?
How might American politics look different had James Madison not influenced Congress to adopt a system of dual federalism?
What has been a significant effect of dual federalism on states' rights?
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