What role does the Supreme Court play in the federalism debate?

It rules on the boundaries between state and federal power, with some decisions expanding federal authority and others protecting state sovereignty.

What were the two key rulings in NFIB v Sebelius (2012) relevant to federalism?

The Court upheld the ACA's individual mandate under the taxing power but ruled that the federal government could not coerce states regarding Medicaid expansion.

How does the growth of executive power, including executive orders, affect the federal-state balance?

It centralises authority at the federal level, as presidents can bypass Congress and implement policies that may reduce state autonomy.

Define fiscal federalism.

The financial relationship between federal and state governments, with federal funding often used to influence state policy priorities.

What are categorical grants?

Federal funds given to states for specific purposes with strict conditions attached.

Edexcel A-Level Politics 9PL0

Democracy and Participation

Topic overview Current systems of representative and direct democracy A wider franchise and debates over suffrage Pressure groups and other influences Think tanks, lobbyists and corporations Rights in context

Political Parties

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Electoral Systems

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Voting Behaviour and the Media

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Liberalism

Topic overview Individualism, equality and the liberal state Freedom, the rule of law and limited government Rationalism, social justice and liberal democracy Differing views and tensions within liberalism Locke, Wollstonecraft and Mill Rawls, Friedan and modern liberalism

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Topic overview The Supreme Court, judicial independence and judicial review Parliament and executive dominance The European Union and its impact on the UK The location of sovereignty in the UK

AnarchismNon-core

Topic overview Anarchism: core ideas and the rejection of the state Liberty, order and the anarchist economy Collectivist and individualist anarchism compared Types of collectivist anarchism Types of individualist anarchism Stirner and Proudhon Bakunin, Kropotkin and Goldman

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FeminismNon-core

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The US Constitution and FederalismUSA

Topic overview Democratic features of the US Constitution Constitutional strengths, weaknesses and modern debates Federalism, state powers and the laboratories of democracy The Supreme Court, fiscal federalism and the centralisation debate

US CongressUSA

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The US Supreme Court and Civil RightsUSA

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US Democracy and ParticipationUSA

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Comparative Theories and the UK-US ComparisonUSA

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Regionalism and the European UnionGlobal

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Global Comparative TheoriesGlobal

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The US Constitution and Federalism

The Supreme Court, fiscal federalism and the centralisation debate

3 things to know
Component 3

Overview

Recall questions on the Supreme Court’s role in Lopez and NFIB v Sebelius, executive power, fiscal federalism and categorical against block grants, new federalism, polarisation, sanctuary cities and Texas v United States, the Supremacy Clause, and whether the USA is still federal.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Evaluation

What evidence suggests power has moved to the federal government?

Key term

Why do categorical grants indicate centralisation rather than federalism?

Key term

Why is United States v Lopez (1995) cited as evidence of continued federalism?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What role does the Supreme Court play in the federalism debate?
Model answer
It rules on the boundaries between state and federal power, with some decisions expanding federal authority and others protecting state sovereignty.
2
Why is United States v Lopez (1995) cited as evidence of continued federalism?
Model answer
The Supreme Court limited Congress's Commerce Clause power by ruling the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded federal authority, protecting state jurisdiction.
3
What were the two key rulings in NFIB v Sebelius (2012) relevant to federalism?
Model answer
The Court upheld the ACA's individual mandate under the taxing power but ruled that the federal government could not coerce states regarding Medicaid expansion.
4
How does the growth of executive power, including executive orders, affect the federal-state balance?
Model answer
It centralises authority at the federal level, as presidents can bypass Congress and implement policies that may reduce state autonomy.
5
Define fiscal federalism.
Model answer
The financial relationship between federal and state governments, with federal funding often used to influence state policy priorities.
6
What are categorical grants?
Model answer
Federal funds given to states for specific purposes with strict conditions attached.

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Democracy and Participation

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193519952000

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ACitizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

BRepresentatives are accountable through free, regular elections.

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Patriotism means attachment to one’s country.

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