Nation Centered vs. State Centered Federalism

Federalism is a political system in which power is divided between a national or central government and the states.

Federalism has been a contentious and dynamic system. Its development has been determined more by the strength of contending interests and the country’s changing needs than the nature of the Constitutional language.

Three types of federalism exist. The federal system divides government between a national and state government. This is evident in the United States and Canadian governments. A unitary system, such as France and Great Britain, places formal authority in a central government. In a confederate system, authority lies within the state government. With a confederate system, changes to or abolishment of a central government may take place.

State centered federalism is a system where the states retain most of the functions and powers of government. The federal government has the ability to influence state government partly because o

b. Special interest in local areas can frustrate national goals (i.e., solid waste disposal “not in my backyard” mentality.)

I believe the goal of federalism is to give each level of government its own power with the objective being to develop a system where services can be best delivered to the citizens.

a. Categorical grants – money is provided for specific state projects, with federal agencies overseeing exactly what to fund.

e. Local self-governing may impede national unity.

Some topics in this essay:
France Britain, Civil War, , Reform Plan, Tenth Amendment, national government, United Canadian, federal government, central government, local governments, centered federalism, government confederate, local government, confederate system, government confederate system,