Federalism — Social Studies definition

Defined in 3 courses:

A constitutional relationship dividing and connecting national and state authority. (U.S. & New York History: Indigenous Nations to Reconstruction)
Division and sharing of authority between national and state governments. (United States History & Government: Colonial Foundations to the Early 21st Century)
A constitutional distribution of authority between national and state governments. (Government, Civic Participation & Economics)

Where it is taught

Federalism, Three Branches & Checks on Power — Constitutional Government & Its Limits, U.S. & New York History: Indigenous Nations to Reconstruction, Grade 7
The Bill of Rights & Constitutional Change — Constitutional Government & Its Limits, U.S. & New York History: Indigenous Nations to Reconstruction, Grade 7
Federalism, the Bill of Rights & Constitutional Change — Colonial Foundations & Constitutional Government, United States History & Government: Colonial Foundations to the Early 21st Century, Grade 11
Federalism: National, State & Shared Responsibilities — Constitution, Branches & Federalism, Government, Civic Participation & Economics, Grade 12

In use

Federalism splits power between the national government and the states.
Federalism, Three Branches & Checks on Power

Federalism divides and shares authority between the national and state governments.
Federalism, the Bill of Rights & Constitutional Change

Questions using federalism

Problem 1

How can one policy dispute involve both federalism and separation of powers?

Answer and explanation

Federalism concerns the allocation of authority between national and state governments; separation of powers concerns legislative, executive, and judicial functions. A dispute may ask whether a state or Congress has authority and whether an executive action follows a valid law. These are related questions about different divisions of power.

Taught alongside

Elsewhere

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