Federalism
The entire principles of the American government are based on federalism. The idea that the central government and it’s local states should share legal power has long been an important decision, but not all politicians were content with this result. Many debated that the sharing of power would become too difficult for both the states and central governments. Ultimately they were wrong, the unique form of government the United States possesses has led to it’s success in becoming one of the most powerful countries in the world. Unlike other governments, such as unitary and confederate systems, federalism focuses on sharing legal power with it’s states. The sharing of legal power is divided in such a way that all states share exact equal power, this also gives them equal representation in the government. As Madison would state (Classics in American Government, p. 46) , “This unique sharing of powers between the states and the nat . . .
Their extent of power is not controlled by the government, and the states may enact it’s own laws, currency and even treaties with other countries. The constitution also stands as a directory to every citizen of his or her guaranteed rights. . Many of the amendments provide a basis on which new laws have been built on. ” He would state in his ideas of “dual federalism”, both the government and state would function independently, but still be recognized as a single nation. The adaptation of a federal government was the United States most successful decision. Many people viewed his opinion as a typical republican response. Another stance on federalism was given by James Bryce. ional government was the basis for the American federal system”. No other country in the world holds such a unique form of government as we have, by sharing power between central and state governments we have created a distinctive balance and created building blocks for the creation of other laws as well as focused on the civil rights of individuals. The opposite of a unitary government is a Confederation, similar to the one imposed under the articles of confederation. From it’s beginnings, federalism was viewed upon in many different ways by Americans. It is the constitutional amendments which give the government virtually all of it’s power. 61 ), “The characteristic feature and special interest of the American Union is that it shows us two governments covering the same ground, yet distinct and separate in their action.
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