Federalism
United States is made up of fifty States and territories that are self governing; United States federal has been evolving with time, hence affecting the relationship between the federal government and the State governments in the United States. It has been noted that since the American Civil War, there has occurred a power shift from the States to the National government. The constitution of the United States has divided the powers of the federal States and the powers of the National government.
Federalism has experienced changes in the history of the United States. At different periods, it has influenced the boundaries and the balance between State governments and the National governments (Gerston, 2007). Particularly in the twentieth century, roles attached to the National government dramatically expanded and similar expansions have been experienced in the twenty first century. Dual federalism was in place in 1789 to 1945, the civil war in the United States and the Fourteenth Amendments was in place from 1861 to 1868, the industrialization and the globalization was in place from 1865 to 1945 and new Federalism has been in place since 1969.
Federalism has shaped the American political behavior over time, it has been noted that Federalism fosters loyalties among the States, encourage Pragmatism, enhances democracy in the United States, cultivates political stability in the country, encourages pluralism and ensures that the National government and the State governments have separated powers in preventing the chances of tyranny (OToole & Christensen, 2012). Loyalties among the States is cultivated by making residents more attached to their home States, the connection is enhanced by Federalism by allowing States to have expressive power necessarily in encouraging State loyalties (LaCroix, 2011).
Pragmatism is encouraged by Federalism through allowing States have their own powers. United States is large and running such a nation is complex, but through the States, it is made easier and effective (OToole & Christensen, 2012). Local and State officials are able to handle challenges facing their own States and develop necessarily policies supporting pragmatism. Democracy is facilitated through State governments being given powers to experiment on their personalized policies, where other States learn from the failure or a success of other States. An example is the California State that has led on environmental regulations over decades. The welfare policy on environmental regulation has since been replicated in other States (Gerston, 2007).
Political stability is enhanced by Federalism by facilitating the removal of the National government from the issues considered contentious in individual States. It has been noted that pluralism is facilitated in the United States through Federal systems expanding State, National and at local levels (LaCroix, 2011). This has been influential in giving citizens more access to opportunities and leaders as they mutually get involved in the running of the government.
Federalism facilitates separation of power between the National government and the State government. A model that discourages tyranny, Federalism ensures that the State government carries out their day to day activities independently, even if some malicious leaders may take control of the three branches that constitute the federal government. This is critical in enhancing liberty in the United States (Gerston, 2007).
The National government coin money, oversees interstate and foreign trade, declare war and conduct international relations. State governments ratify amendments, control education, oversee trade within the State and manage public safety and health. The National Government and the State governments share some powers; common ones are borrowing money, enforcing laws and tax (OToole & Christensen, 2012).
American policies are mainly tried out in the State governments, and if the policies are suited for the federal government, then the policies are implemented in the National government. If the policies fail at the State governments, then the policies are discarded, the relationship between State and federal government vary by areas, the States may choose modified laws. Some issues may be legal in a State but illegal in other States and in the federal system.
References
Gerston, L. N. (2007). American Federalism: A Concise Introduction. Armonk, New York: M.E.Sharpe.
LaCroix, A. L. (2011). The Ideological Origins of American Federalism. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
OToole, L. & Christensen, R. (2012). American Intergovernmental Relations. Washington, DC: CQ Press.
