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 national government was the basis for the American federal system". Much of the powers of the central government originates from the U.S. constitution. It is the constitutional amendments which give the government virtually all of it's power. Written since the foundation of this country, the constitution provides the central government with various laws and rulings for it to follow as well as gives them the power to add or remove any amendments deemed appropriate. The constitution also stands as a directory to every citizen of his or her guaranteed rights. The constitution not only grants individuals with secure rights, it also holds the principle laws of which make our legal system work. Many of the amendments provide a basis on which new laws have been built on.
             Unlike federalism, a unitary form of government grants all legal power to the central government. This gives absolute legal power to the government rather then dividing it with it's states. The states (if any) are...