Introduction to Federalism | Government & Politics: Civics for the American Experiment

How does federalism shape the way our government works and impacts our daily lives? From differences in road signs to how schools are run, the structure of the U.S. Constitution ensures that power is shared between national, state, and local governments. But why does this system matter, and how does it address the challenges of governing a geographically large and diverse nation?

In this video, explore the principle of federalism, its role in balancing powers, and real-world examples of cooperation and tension among different levels of government. Whether it’s defending the country, managing public health, or ensuring local communities thrive, federalism allows us to tackle big issues together while staying responsive to local needs.

This video ties into the Bill of Rights Institute's Government and Politics: Civics for the American Experiment curriculum, specifically Unit 2, which dives into the dynamic dialogue between government levels and the constitutional principles that make it all work.

0:00 - 0:14: Introduction
0:14 - 0:42: Why States Differ
0:43 - 0:54: What is Federalism?
0:55 - 1:01: National Government Powers
1:02 - 1:16: State and Local Government Powers
1:17 - 1:24: Why Federalism Matters
1:25 - 1:43: Balancing Power Across Levels
1:44 - 2:01 Federalism in Action
2:02 - 2:25 Reflecting on Federalism and Outro
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