The Center for the Study of Federalism is a nonpartisan, interdisciplinary research and education institution dedicated to supporting and advancing scholarship and public understanding of federal theories, principles, institutions, and processes as practical means of organizing power in free societies.
Federalism in America: An Encyclopedia
Federalism in America: An Encyclopedia is a comprehensive reference explaining the major concepts, institutions, court cases, evolution, epochs, personalities, and policies that have shaped, or been shaped by, American federalism. Originally published by Greenwood Press in 2005, the encyclopedia is now online with new entries being added and old ones updated.
Sample entries: Self-Government and Federalism; Coercive Federalism; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare); Bill of Rights; Baker v. Carr
James Madison (1751-1836)
"[T]he proposed government cannot be deemed a national one; since its jurisdiction extends to certain enumerated objects only, and leaves to the several States a residuary and inviolable sovereignty over all other objects . . . in controversies relating to the boundary between the two jurisdictions, the tribunal which is ultimately to decide [i.e., the U.S. Supreme Court], is to be established under the general government." (Federalist #39)
Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804)
"This balance between the National and State governments ought to be dwelt on with peculiar attention, as it is of the utmost importance. It forms a double security to the people. If one encroaches on their rights they will find a powerful protection in the other. Indeed, they will both be prevented from overpassing their constitutional limits by a certain rivalship, which will ever subsist between them." (New York Ratifying Convention, First Speech of June 21)
John Jay (1745-1829)
- Author of five of the Federalist Papers
- First Chief Justice of the United States
The states are subject to judicial review.
(John Jay voting with the majority in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793))
Johannes Althusius (c. 1563-1638)
- Father of modern federalism and subsidiarity
- Defended local autonomy against the modern absolutist sovereign state (developed by Bodin, Grotius, and Hobbes)