Question

Choose two topics from the three listed below. What role should the federal government play in regard to these topics as opposed to the state governments? Which types of federalism best apply (utilize the list of federalism to apply a specific type)? Provide specific reasons for each answer.

Education

Civil Rights (racism and sexism)

Poverty (lacking access to food, clean water, and shelter)

Marijuana Legalization

Answer 1

(a) Education

The major role that should be played by Federal Government regarding education is:
(1) Providing equal access to education : It is one of the right of every citizen to get access to education irrespective of his/her gender.
(2) Safeguarding students' constitutional rights: Students should feel safe and protected when it comes to constitutional rights.
(3) Safeguarding teachers' constitutional rights.
Though people think that Federal government leads in providing all these basic educational rights to students, generally state government determines educational policy.
Cooperative Federalism is best aplied here as the power should be shared equally among the two governments in deciding the rights.

(b) Civil Rights

At the federal level of government, agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigate claims of civil rights violations and discrimination. The power of investigation of case lies mainly in hands of Federal Government and therefore, they should implement it as well.
State agencies may also investigate a complaint for civil rights violations or discrimination, and may work alongside (or in place of) a federal agency. . As part of its standard procedure, that state agency will usually send the complaint to the EEOC at the federal level, so that it becomes a "dual filing."
Here, the federalism applied is Dual Federalism as the power is shared between both but Federal Government has larger share of power.