The Federalism vs The State

The United States before being the 50 states country was a 13 state nation. With each having their own economical and social interests, protecting their own activities and keeping strong state alliances to maintain peace and prevent external invasions and attack was indispensable. Nowadays, most of the policies by which all 50 countries abide by are under the federal power aka the government, but its power is deemed controversial to some States.

Does federalism prevent national democracy? Does itS conformism erase the identity and needs of each state?

A United Nation With A Divided Political System

When most modern democratic countries have a unitary government (:national government decides of policies and the local government makes sure that the needs of the the people are met and serves as the extension of the federal government) to prevent, abuse of power . Indeed, the government of the USA is a hybrid political system. The State government and the Federal Government counterbalance each other's influence.

I mean obviously, wherever the USA sees power they need to divide it. Checks and Balances!

Let's dive deeper into this, shall we. ;)

Here are their functions:

The Federalist Government:

- Has a broader range of options to defend individual rights that benefit all citizens with an optimal access courts for complaints.

-Provides protection against demagogues. In fact Donald Trump's election wasn't the smoothest.

The State Government:

-Is considered as a "political laboratory" as complaints are firstly issued in state courts before becoming national issues.

-Is diversified and provides a wide array of choices when it comes to the lifestyle Americans want. I could definitely smoke pot in California but it wouldn't be acceptable in Texas.

Disclaimer: I don't do drugs and do not encourage anyone to do so either! Don't do drugs kids.

How do States have so much power to initiate drastic changes in their own State and sometimes even influence all 50 states?

The 10th amendment of the American constitution declares that all power and rights that aren't listed belong to the states and the people.

The Dual Federalism

The federal government intricate associations and different styles of partnerships.

During the Civil War (1861-1865), when Southern States claimed the 10th amendment to keep slave trade, the national government asserted its power militarily and economically through intrastate trades in the 19th century. Trust was built between the people and the federal government with the abolition of slavery (13th amendment,1865). Nonetheless, to keep the Southern States in check, the federal government was also obligated to affirm authority through military invasion of the south. It marked the first time that the federal government had shown its true colours to the country. Was the potential threatening? Are there blindspots in the Constitution that helped the national government win it's battles my a mile?

The Cooperative Federalism

As the Stock Market collapsed in the early 20s and the Great Depression arrived in the 30s, both the National Government and Franklin Roosevelt contributed in the reconnection of both the federal government and the State in view of a collaboration. Federal money was given to States and local prog

rams and social cares. This has made the bond in between the two grow stronger. After the WWII, the trust decreased because of the national government's involvement in local affairs and the protection of the people (segregation, civil rights). As we now know, de facto, all American citizens are equal in front of the law regardless of their ethnicity, social class and religion. Some states, however, consider white supremacy as an identity. The federal government demonstrates its authority

The New Federalism

In the 80s, Ronald Reagan turned things around by giving power to the states. He decentralised the national government and programs were no longer supported by the national government. This resulted in the increase of inequalities and an absence of unity as policies that benefited all American people decreased.

The paradoxical Federalism

The federal government has been supported by the Democratic Party of the USA since the New Deal in 1933. Ergo, the Progressive Liberals were the national government because they were aiming at supporting minority rights. However there have been inconsistencies in the actions taken by both the democrats and conservative/republicans. For example, George W. Bush who is Republican signed the No Child Left Behind Act.

Overall, the relations that the federal government and the states maintain are rocky and have evolved with time. But their polar opposite interests prevents them from reaching a unitary federalism because of partisan polarisation. These incessant conflict doesn't manifest itself in courts, or the congress or even the White House only. it also figures in music in movies speeches. How will the new and more activist generation manage to tackle this issue?

It was a pleasure for me to write this for y'all!:)))) Stay tuned everybody !

Ciaooo <3