Summary of State Power and Delegation
Summary
The power structure of government established in the Articles of Confederation was rebalanced in the Constitution to ensure that both the central and the regional governments had some degree of authority and autonomy. Federal and state governments have managed to work out sharing power throughout history, with the federal government often using fiscal policy to encourage compliance from the states. The taxing power of local governments means they face unique pressures during economic downturns.
Practice Questions
1. Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government was quite weak relative to the states. What changes were made to strengthen the role of the federal government under the U.S. Constitution?
Glossary
Dillon’s Rule: a legal principle that holds state power and actions above those of local governments and declares state governments to be sovereign relative to local governments
expressed powers: those powers specifically provided to the Congress and the president in the U.S. Constitution
home rule: principle that provides local governments some degree of independence from the state government, typically detailed in a charter
implied powers: those powers not specifically detailed in the U.S. Constitution but inferred as necessary to achieve the objectives of the national government
This lesson is part of:
American State and Local Governments