Essay number 4 (Federal System)

The framers of the United States Constitution created a federal system.

 a) Define federalism

 b) Explain how the following has been used to increase the power of the federal

 government relative to the states.

• Categorical Grants
• Federal mandates

 c) Explain how the following have been used to increase the power of the states relative to

 the federal government.

• Block grants
• Tenth amendment

A)  Federalism is a constitutional division of power between levels (national and state) of government

B) Categorical grant:

A grant designed for a specific purpose. States must spend money in accord with national government’s wishes

  Federal Mandates: 

A federal government tells states what policies to implement

  C) Block grants:

Block grants to states have few strings attached, so states can make decisions about the details of where the money goes.

tenth amendment:  
It reserves power to the states and to the people