when Alabama's governor refused to end the policy of segregation in public universities he invoked which common argument for separation of powers under federalism?
A. States' rights ***
B. Checks and balances
C. Direct initiative
D. bicameral legislation
Correct.
A. States' rights
To determine which common argument for the separation of powers under federalism Alabama's governor invoked when refusing to end the policy of segregation in public universities, we can break down the options and explain each one.
A. States' rights: This argument emphasizes the authority and autonomy of individual states within the federal system. It suggests that the states have the right to make decisions and policies that are not explicitly granted to the federal government by the Constitution. Given the context of Alabama's governor refusing to end segregation, invoking states' rights as an argument would align with the belief that the state has the power to maintain its own policies, even if they conflict with federal laws.
B. Checks and balances: This argument refers to the system of checks and balances established in the U.S. Constitution. It ensures that power is divided among different branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful. While checks and balances play a crucial role in maintaining the separation of powers, it may not specifically address the governor's refusal to end segregation in this case.
C. Direct initiative: Direct initiative is a process in some states that allows citizens to propose and vote on laws directly, bypassing the legislature. This concept is not directly related to the governor's refusal to end segregation in public universities.
D. Bicameral legislation: Bicameral legislation refers to a two-chamber legislature, usually consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate. While bicameralism can be seen as a part of the separation of powers, it does not directly relate to the governor's argument for refusing to end segregation.
Based on the explanations above, the answer is A. States' rights. By invoking states' rights, the governor argued that Alabama had the authority to maintain segregation in public universities as a policy decision within the state's jurisdiction, even if it conflicted with federal laws or policies.