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Learning Activity: Federalism

• Ben's Guide (6-8): National vs. state government

• Project Vote Smart: Government 101: The Constitution

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• Interactive: Who's who in Iraq

• Interactive: Sectarian divide

• Timeline: Bloodiest days for civilians

• Coalition Casualties

• Special Report

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(CNN Student News) -- One of the issues that has affected agreement on a new Iraqi constitution has been federalism. This activity is intended to help students learn more about the concept of federalism as it is demonstrated in the U.S. government. Students will then consider how federalism could impact the people and government of Iraq.

Procedure

Direct students to their textbooks and online resources to find definitions for each of these terms: centralized government, federalism and confederation. Have students share their findings and agree upon one definition for each term. Write the three definitions on the board. Discuss the differences among these three forms of government. Ask: Which describes the United States' form of government?

Divide the class into groups. Have each group create a chart with two columns, one labeled "Powers of the national government" and the other labeled "Powers of the state government." Challenge each group to brainstorm a list of specific powers and responsibilities for its national and state governments, and have students fill in the chart accordingly.

Reconvene the class and ask each group to present its chart. Review what students have learned in recent months about Iraq and its different ethnic and religious groups. Challenge students to put themselves in the places of Iraqi citizens. Ask:

What kinds of powers might national and regional governments have under an Iraqi federalist government?

Among Iraq's citizens, who might favor this kind of political system? Who might oppose it? Why?

What kind of government did Iraq have under Saddam Hussein?

How might each of the different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq perceive a centralized government versus federalism? Discuss.

Correlated standards

Civics and government

III. HOW DOES THE GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED BY THE CONSTITUTION EMBODY THE PURPOSES, VALUES, AND PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY?

A. How are power and responsibility distributed, shared, and limited in the government established by the United States Constitution?

2. The American federal system. Students should be able to evaluate, take, and defend positions on issues regarding the distribution of powers and responsibilities within the federal system.

The National Standards for Civics and Government (http://www.civiced.org/912erica.htm) are published by the Center for Civic Education (http://www.civiced.org/index.html)

Social Studies

Standard VI. Power, Authority and Governance: Students will understand the historical development of structures of power, authority and governance and their evolving functions in contemporary U.S. society as well as other parts of the world.

The Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/) are published by the National Council for Social Studies (http://ncss.org/).

Keywords

federalism, decentralized government, centralized government, constitution

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