federalism

• Sovereignty is divided in federalism between the federal and state

  • In the UK, we have a unitary state and comparing federalism to devolution
• Federalism -> shared sovereignty

  • In the UK Parliament remains Sovereign so sovereignty is not shared to devolved bodies
• Some powers given to the state, and all the states have the same powers whilst in the UK devolution is assymetrical
• Some powers are reserved for the federal/national gov based in Washington
• State powers

  Education, healthcare, penal system, elections, state income tax, driving license, drinking age
• Federal gov powers

  Foreign policy, federal income tax (6th Amendment), border control (immigration), ‘coin money’ (national currency), regulation of interstate commerce
• Concurrent powers


  Make amendments, levy taxes, establish courts
• If a federal government starts to dabble in health policy e.g. Obamacare, it seems like the US is becoming less federal
• Federal government can only exercise powers explicitly given whilst the states can exercise power over anything listed plus anything not included in the constitution