In the United States, the government operates under a principle called federalism. Two separate governments, federal and state, regulate citizens. Show The federal government has limited power over all fifty states. State governments have the power to regulate within their state boundaries. State powers are also limited in the sense that states cannot make laws that conflict with the laws of the federal government.
Powers of the Federal GovernmentThe power of the federal government to regulate and make laws is limited by the U.S. Constitution, which grants express and implied powers to regulate. Express powers are granted to the U.S. Congress in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which gives Congress the right to regulate such matters as the coining of money, the post office, and the military. Along with the express powers, the federal government also has the power to make all laws that are necessary and proper for executing any of the stated powers. When Congress makes laws under this provision, it is using its implied powers. Implied powers must be related to one of the express powers. Matters that are not within the express or implied powers of the federal government are generally left to the states to regulate. The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
As a practical matter, however, the power of the federal government to pass laws and to regulate is extensive. One reason for this is that the Supreme Court has given a broad interpretation to the Commerce Clause. This clause gives the federal government the right to regulate interstate commerce. In the past, the Court has liberally interpreted this power. For example, Congress used this section to justify numerous laws, including civil rights legislation. Powers of the State GovernmentStates have very broad powers to make laws that apply within the state boundaries. States are said to have general police powers. This means that states can make laws that provide for the general health, welfare, and safety of its citizens. However, they cannot make laws that conflict with federal laws. Nor can states enact any laws in areas that are preempted by the federal government.
Some subject areas that cannot be regulated by states are set out in Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution and include such activities as entering into treaties, coining money, and passing ex-post facto laws.
Areas commonly regulated by states include criminal conduct, contractual relationships, civil tort liability, and forms of business such as partnerships and corporations.
What is an example of a power that the federal and state government share?Finally, certain powers are called concurrent powers, which the states and the federal government both may exercise. These can include, for example, setting up courts, levying taxes, and spending and borrowing money. Typically, these are powers necessary for maintenance of public facilities.
What are 3 shared powers examples?Shared, or "concurrent" powers include:. Setting up courts through the country's dual court system.. Creating and collecting taxes.. Building highways.. Borrowing money.. Making and enforcing laws.. Chartering banks and corporations.. Spending money for the betterment of the general welfare.. What are 3 powers of the federal government?The Federal Government is composed of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, whose powers are vested by the U.S. Constitution in the Congress, the President, and the Federal courts, respectively.
What are 3 examples of powers held by the state level of government?Police departments, libraries, and schools—not to mention driver's licenses and parking tickets—usually fall under the oversight of State and local governments. Each state has its own written constitution, and these documents are often far more elaborate than their Federal counterpart.
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