Constitutional Law

1. Constitutional Framework
   1. Structure of Government
      1. Separation of Powers
         1. Legislative Branch
            1. Role and Responsibilities
               1. Making Laws
               2. Budgetary Powers
               3. Impeachment Procedures
            2. Structure
               1. Bicameral vs. Unicameral Systems
               2. Leadership Roles
            3. Functioning within Checks and Balances
               1. Oversight of the Executive
               2. Legislative Vetoes
         2. Executive Branch
            1. Role and Responsibilities
               1. Enforcing Laws
               2. Military Command
               3. Diplomatic Functions
            2. Structure
               1. Presidency and Vice Presidency
               2. Cabinet and Executive Departments
            3. Powers and Limits
               1. Executive Orders
               2. Veto Powers and Overrides
         3. Judicial Branch
            1. Role and Responsibilities
               1. Interpretation of Laws
               2. Ensuring Justice
            2. Structure
               1. Hierarchical Court System
               2. Appointment Processes
            3. Judicial Independence
               1. Lifetime Tenure and its Impact
               2. Role in Checks and Balances
      2. Checks and Balances
         1. Purpose and Functionality
            1. Preventing Concentration of Power
            2. Facilitating Cooperation and Conflict among Branches
         2. Mechanisms
            1. Veto and Override Processes
            2. Judicial Review
            3. Approval Powers (e.g., Treaties, Appointments)
         3. Historical and Contemporary Examples
            1. Impeachment as a Check on Executive Power
            2. Legislative-Executive Conflicts
            3. Judicial Decisions altering Legislative or Executive Actions
   2. Federalism
      1. Distribution of Power
         1. Constitutional Allocation of Powers
            1. Enumerated Powers
            2. Reserved Powers
         2. Concurrent Powers and Dual Sovereignty
      2. Relationship between Federal and State Governments
         1. Types of Federalism
            1. Dual Federalism (Layer Cake Model)
            2. Cooperative Federalism (Marble Cake Model)
            3. New Federalism and Devolution
         2. Fiscal Federalism
            1. Grants-in-Aid
            2. Mandates and Conditions of Aid
         3. Legal Supremacy and Preemption
            1. Supremacy Clause
            2. Conflicts and Resolutions between State and Federal Laws
         4. Evolution Over Time
            1. Historical Shifts in the Balance of Power
            2. Impact of Supreme Court Decisions on State-Federal Relations
            3. Contemporary Challenges to Federalism
               1. Decentralization
               2. States' Rights movements