Federalism CaseEssay Preview: Federalism CaseReport this essayThe founders of the constitution themselves, specifically Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton carried different meanings of federalism. Hamilton believed in a strong central government. He argued that since the people created the national government and since the most pressing needs were the development of a national economy and the handling of foreign affairs, the national government was therefore superior. In opposition to Hamilton was Jefferson, who argued that the federal government was merely the result of an agreement among the states. He believed that the people were ultimately most powerful and that the threats to their liberties would come from the national government. Therefore Jefferson argued that national powers should be limited and the state governments should be sovereign.
Dual federalism often referred to, as “layer cake federalism” is a doctrine lasting through the 1930s, holding that the national government is supreme in its sphere, the states are supreme in theirs and there should be no interaction between the two. The concept of dual federalism was applied to commerce. Interstate commerce was to be regulated by Congress while intrastate commerce was regulated by the states. This concept of separate spheres became difficult to maintain. For example, when transporting an item from one state to another how long is it in interstate commerce before it becomes subject to state law? The great depression marked the end of dual federalism and the shift to a strong national government.
Beginning in the 1960s American politics shifted toward favoring Washingtons needs rather than local needs. In the 80s however, President Regan worked to reverse this pattern. He pushed congress to combine 83 categorical grants into 6 block grants. He believed that the states should have more power and that the states were more conservative than the federal government.
Federalism describes a system of government under which the national government and local government share distinct powers. Under federalism some powers belong exclusively to the national government, some exclusively to the state and some are shared. This system of government is positive, and has existed for so long for many reasons. Crucial to its existence is federalisms ability to keep the nation united and under control. The central government stays concerned with matters which effect the nation as a whole such as foreign policy while the states take responsibility for local concerns such as housing and education. Federalism also allows for the open opportunity for political participation. As well, it permits laws and policies on public matters to vary from state to state. This freedom from state to state can be seen as both positive and negative. Another
The Constitution: an Ideology
A key to Federalism is the freedom from state repression. Freedom from state repression is not an inherent, even necessary part of government. States have a wide variety of political, educational, moral, and military institutions that they use to govern. Federalism does not permit for the establishment of a single federal system. An individual who is forced to choose between an agency made up of five agencies and a single federal agency is subject to federalism. Federalism places a restriction on the freedom of individual choice. Federalism is part of the original constitutional and statutory system of government which has been in effect for over 100 years. It is not yet an ideology. While the federal government does not rule the universe with force, the states have a fundamental right to control our government and to govern the United States collectively. Federalism is not a means, but a rule which does not require submission to state authority.
A federal system of government allows citizens a unique way of living, a manner of work, and a variety of social activities that are not the subject of local government. Federalism allows individuals to develop their talents and take risks while holding large or small-scale businesses. Federalism is not a political ideology but a method of government. Federalistic ideology allows people to live for themselves, grow in common wealth, produce their own food, and grow their families.
Federalism is a system which does not create a special government and does not define individuals as a group apart from themselves. The power and responsibility of the state rests solely with those who are in control of the world through a state agency. Federalism means the right to control and control the external world by controlling national policies, and the ability to determine the rules made by people. Federalism is not a doctrine of power but an agency that is created and maintained by people. Federalism does not rule the universe with force but only through the rule of free will.
Freedom from State Toleration
The freedom from state suppression, which is an innate part of freedom, does not mean that one has no right to disagree with federal policy or practices. Freedom comes from the fact that the federal government is in full control of our lives, and that individual freedom can and must be given complete control of our life. Federalism is a federalism which protects the rights of individual citizens to change their lifestyles, to exercise their choice of life, and to make their own choices.
Freedom from State and Federal Tolerance
The Federalism in Federalism is a combination of Federalism-freedom of action and federalism-freedom from the state. This freedom in combination with the Federalism system allows government to protect individual freedom rather than create a separate government. There can be no compromise of one government policy for the other because one cannot have liberty without the other. Federalism is a system of government based on the freedom to choose life (including choices of life). The Federalism system can be viewed in both terms of the federal system and the state. This is why Federalism is both positive and negative. It means individual freedom from State suppression.
Freedom from Federalism is based principally on the freedom to live without state control. It is not a system of government or state coercion, but rather a method of self-government in which individuals are given full sovereignty over their own life choices. Freedom from Federalism provides the freedoms to make their own decisions and choose to live their lives according to their personal beliefs, values, and needs. The individual,