Federal Government and the States
Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 12.3.2
Relationship between the Federal Government and the States
The States and the federal government have different powers.
Federal government powers
- There are exclusive powers held by the federal government.
- The federal government has the exclusive power to print money and declare war.
- The power of the federal government has grown significantly since the 1920s and 1930s.
- The federal government has 'implied' powers granted by Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution — the 'necessary and proper' clause.
- The federal government can use conditional grants to influence state policy beyond its enumerated powers.
State powers
- There are exclusive powers held by the states, which are 'reserved'.
- States have the reserved right to issue licenses for marriages.
- States have the exclusive power to ratify amendments to the Constitution.
- States have the exclusive power to conduct elections.
- States tend to have more power over the day-to-day lives of their residents.
Shared powers
- There are powers shared by the federal government and the states, which are 'concurrent'.
- Both states and the federal government have the power to levy taxes.
Test yourself on Federal Government and the States
Which section of the constitution grants implied powers to the federal government?
Which of these powers are exclusive to the individual states?