Federalism definitely improves our American Democracy. It allows Local and State governments to be more important for its citizens and be more responsive to them. Federalism, at least in the United States, is the concept of both national and state governments having shared powers and authority of over matters - such as policies - that the other may not have. The state government has some autonomy, or authority, to pass those policies without needing the national government and vice versa. One simple example on how Federalism works is the national drinking age policy. The national government wanted to establish a minimum age for one to buy or consume alcohol. Since Congress could not simply pass a law making it so, they withheld federal highway …show more content…
One advantage of a strong state government is how states are more responsive to interests that are closer to them. It is easier to be heard by your local government than your national government. If you want your taxes to go towards one thing over another, you can vote in your local elections where the results will directly affect you. Another advantage of states having a strong role is having access to more problem-solving paths. If citizens have an issue that the government needs to solve, just like local governments can represent interest closest to them, they can address the problems as well. The higher government can be called upon if the specific problem needs more …show more content…
One disadvantage of a strong role for states is the unequal protection of civil rights. The national government can implement a law protecting the rights of minorities, but since the state government is strong, the state itself might not actually follow it. The national government are not the ones closest to the people that law is directed for, the state and local governments are. Another disadvantage resulting from strong states is a problem called “Race to the Bottom.” “Race to the Bottom” is when states are in a competition to attract more people to live in that specific state. One state can offer generous benefits to its citizens, while the state next door tries to one-up them. In order for people to live in your state, you actually have to give out the costly benefits you promised. What seemed like a good idea at the time may now have your state bankrupt, among other problems, and led you straight to the
States will also compete in attracting residents as people will shift to the state that favors them mostly. As discussed in our textbook, “Scholars continue to debate the effects of the evolution of federalism on civil society: Some argue that a strong national government does not result in weakening of community associations, while others believe that it does” (Cropf,
This passage places emphasis on one of the three arguments James Madison makes in Federalist 10. Madison explicates the deficit of factions specifically factions that could cause nothing but “mischief” for the United States. In this particular passage, he explains how factions are inevitable in our country, however, controlling the effect of factions would diminish their “mischievous impact.” Thus, prohibiting factions assists in reducing the probability of “[a] weaker party or an obnoxious individual” from gaining power over the minority. These smaller factions that Madison hopes to avoid are a direct result of “pure democracy” that he accounts as have “general[ly]…short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.” Therefore, this particular fragment from federalist 10 serves as the precedent to the introduction of a mixed Constitution of a democracy and republic, in this case, a large republic.
The states attempted to limit the power of the national government because they feared that it would become a monarchy. In an effort to limit the power of the national government, Congress created one without enough power to govern effectively, which led to serious national and international problems. One of the main weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation was its incapability to regulate trade and levy taxes. The states controlled all of their “cash flows.” Sometimes, the states were in debt because of tariff wars that they would engage in with one another.
Republicanism brought change to America, but called into question was the way this change was brought to America. James Madison through the Virginia Plan proposed a republic nation. The formation of the Republican opposition in the 1790’s continued the legacy of the American Revolution. Even though a republican government meant everyone in America would be under the same government it took away the “individual” freedom they fought for in the revolution but this government is representative of the people. Madison had a vision of an “extended republic” that would include everyone, however he would need a lot of support in order to get this republic. “Over the course of 1790’s, Jefferson and Madison would help turn their objections to Hamilton's
The Founding Fathers had multiple reasons on why they created a federalist government, the main reasons were avoiding a tyranny, more people participating in politics, and “experimenting” the states in order to find new government ideas and programs James Madison stated the Federalist Papers, The Federalist, No. 10, If "factious leaders kindle a flame within their particular states," the national, or federal government, can "conflagration through the other states." Federalism and the 10th amendment prevents one to take control of a state or the federal government, avoiding tyranny. The idea of having more people evolved in government came from the ideals of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson believed having both local (state) and national (federal) officials would increase participation in government.The last concept with using states as “experiments” comes from this concept: let us say that a state disastrous new policy, it would not be a disaster for everyone. In contrast, if one state 's new programs or policies work well, other states can adopt them to their own
Some of the advantages of having a federal government are that the national level of government can work on the bigger picture tasks while the state government solve the local and specific issues, so that each departments time can be used wisely and efficiently. Furthermore, if citizens took their everyday problems to the national level, then the national government would be over worked and the citizen might have to travel far to even reach the states capital. Each side of the
Talk about some of the advantages and disadvantages of federalism. Does this system serve the United States well? Why or why not? From my notion federalism has a more moral outlook on our country as a hold. They try to prevent a stronger power by distributing some essential power to the states which also gives the United States citizens more option. Different states have different policies which will attract citizen that concur with their laws. For instance gay marriage, some states in the United States support gay marriage and believe that people should marry who they want to marry no matter the gender. California is one of those states. According to an article written by Tamara Thompson, “States are strongly divided on same-sex marriage; thirty-three states prohibit same-sex marriage, including 29 states that have prohibitions in their state constitutions. With New Mexico, 17 states along with the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage; most states that have recently allowed same-sex marriage have done so through legislation.” With that said individuals who live in Georgia, where gay marriage is banned, are free to move to any other states where gay marriage is permitted. Legalization of marijuana in certain states but not in another can be a second example of why giving states power to make their own law can benefit us as citizens. If we don’t concur with one state law, we can move to a state with the laws we do agree with; therefore, giving states control is definitely a pro rather than a con. On the other hand, we have the cons and disadvantages of federalism. One disadvantage of federalism is the fact that states that have contradicting laws that is in the vicinity of each other can be affected by each other. For example states who legalize marijuana, which includes but not
Most Federalist are elitist that own large amounts of land, educated and feel that they should govern to spare the republic from a democracy. Due to their education and experience with negotiations and treaties I feel that they are better suited to make decisions that will benefit the nation as a whole instead of each individual colony. With those in control that are educated and aware of the opportunities they can do what’s best for everyone by educating those that are unfamiliar with the opportunities that are available. A national government would strengthen the new nation as well as improve international trade for the benefit of all. This would not be possible with each colony being responsible for its own government without guidance. A strong national government relates to the economic development of the nation
Being able to have the local governments tell the national government what is happening in the area is something they need to know about. Unitary governments aren’t as personal as the local government can be, and they don’t really help the lower classes. Being able to have a federalism government is good for the United States because it protects the individual rights of the people better than the unitary government. Federalism also protects the citizens against destructive leaders, because of the checks and balances system we have in government it keeps all the branches of government equal and not one area will be the strongest. Another advantage is that the government is more responsive to the people’s needs and desires, with the United States being such a big country it would be hard for Obama to govern us in Utah the same way as people in New York are being governed. Being able have a choice is also an advantage of federalism, having a choice is a great American
The Federalism debate usually starts its journey on the advantages of federalism, advantages such as the checks on powers which can divide and limit the amount of power at each level, protecting the individual. It also allows each state to devise policies that are appropriate for its state (Galligan.B.,
Federalism is the powers a country has, divided between the state and federal government. Federalism was not included in the articles of confederation which left the states with all of the power. Federalism was chosen in the United States because the U.S. wanted there to be more control in the National Government. The U.S State government wanted to keep some of the power, so federalism was a good system of government to choose because they got to split the powers between them. Federalism has many benefits in California. Federalism helps California by giving the state power. Each state is going to have a different diversity in which each state can govern. If California wanted to, they could establish a policy of their own. They could see how well the policy went, according to other states that have established them.
Anti-federalism would give the states the last remaining piece of power they need and desire to bring America to the brink of destruction. Because of the differences between each and every state anti-federalism would not work. Every state would have such different opinions that they would clash against each other simply because the neighboring state wouldn’t have the same opinion and or solution. It would cause havoc and
Federalism, by definition, is the division of government authority between at least two levels of government. In the United States, authority is divided between the state and national government. “Advocates of a strong federal system believe that the state and local governments do not have the sophistication to deal with the major problems facing the country” (Encarta.com).
In conclusion Federalism is a big part of our country. Federalism does have its pros and cons but it’s safe to say that it has so far worked out fairly well. Still, we must keep in mind that federalism does affects our everyday lives and many times we take for granted that the individual in political parties will make the right decisions for the well-being of the public, though at times it is not always be the case. We must remember that for change to happen we must be involved and ready to learn and see and understand ways that we can make a difference, for at the end of the day it is our lives that are affected with every single decision that is made.
I believe that the advantages that Federalism provides far outweigh those of the anti-federalist movement. Our founding fathers wisely perceived that the idea of a centralized government was a big concern for abuse of power. Federalism represents many of the values of modern Democracy and grants individual states the power to make decisions that best suit their needs. Local government understands local issues better than a centralized government that often sees the nation as one big piece of land instead of smaller areas, each with distinct demographics and problems. For instance, issues concerning illegal immigration in Texas would be best handled by local authorities rather than by someone in Kansas, a non border state. By the same token, representatives of communities with different aspirations, ethnicity and cultures should be handled locally as the federal government might overlook the needs of these groups. One perfect example of the above mentioned scenario is the public school system. In a federalist system the local government decides what kind of schools will operate. Therefore, they might make better decisions when it comes to opening schools among large immigrant populations, perhaps creating a few bi-lingual schools to fulfill the population’s needs.