Federalism is one of the characteristic features of the United States. This model of government implies the distribution of power among the territories of the country. Although there is a certain central power (such as federal government), different parts (or the state, in the American case) have wide rights to manage diverse spheres of people’s lives (Krutz and Waskiewicz 72). As with any other type of governance, it is possible to discuss federalism in terms of its advantages and shortcomings. However, this political approach is the most appropriate mode for the United States of America due to its historical, cultural, and political peculiarities.
In order to understand the reasons for the chosen path, it is necessary to look back at the distant sixteenth century. The continent was colonized by Europeans who came from Great Britain, Spain, France, Holland, and other countries. Americas have always been the land of immigrants as people from all over the world came there in their search for a better life. This diversity made Northern America the land where people with different views had to live and collaborate to address major challenges. Thus, states fought against France and earned their independence from empires (Wilson et al. 53). People who lived in different territories (states) united to solve various issues. They were ready to contribute and even give away a certain amount of their sovereignty, but they were not prepared to lose the power to decide what is best for them. To ensure that every state has certain freedom, a confederation and, eventually, federation came into being.
It is necessary to emphasize that people’s freedom is one of the major advantages of federalism. At present, state governments address the issues people face in the most effective way. Every state has numerous peculiarities that make certain rules and norms inapplicable and even harmful or destructive. For example, gun control is one of the problems Americans have different views about. Ten states allow carrying concealed weapons on campuses, while sixteen states forbid concealed weapons on campuses, and the rest of states allow educational establishments to set their own policies regarding the matter (Rozell and Wilcox 3). The adoption of specific regulations would be a real improvement for certain states, while some laws may lead to fierce opposition. Although the example is rather far-fetched, the United States almost ceased to exist once due to such major disagreement. Slavery and its abolition led to the American Civil War because southern states opposed the idea of the end of their economic model (Krutz and Waskiewicz 84). In a sense, federalism is an opportunity to develop strategies that could satisfy all parts of the multicultural country.
Another important benefit of federalism is its being an appropriate ground for the system of checks and balances. Every state has enough power to oppose federal policies or regulations and go to the Supreme Court if some legislation seems inadequate or wrongful (Conlan and Posner 289). At the same time, the federal government has the exclusive right to regulate foreign affairs and commerce, as well as interstate commerce (Krutz and Waskiewicz 75). The federal government is often trying to ensure the enactment of the most critical laws in all states, although this can be difficult to achieve. Still, federalism makes it impossible for a person (U. S. President, for example) or a group of people (a party or state governments) to seize power. State governments will focus on their local issues and making their people’s lives better, which is a good ground for discussion and collaboration, or even opposition that can also be necessary.
Federalism is a favorable platform for the development of successful policies and laws. This system is often referred to as a set of the “laboratories of democracy” (Wilson et al. 61). States can develop and try new policies regarding different spheres of people’s lives. If a policy is effective, other states can also try to implement it, or the federal government can try to help other states to follow. Importantly, if some laws do not work for people, the policies are abandoned. In simple words, states can choose what is better for their people and try to innovate. Obamacare is often seen as an illustration of the power of states to transform or safeguards older practices. For instance, California and North Dakota (as well as many other states) found this healthcare reform effective and appropriate for their local peculiarities. However, Texas and Florida (and other states) still oppose the implementation of the reform. At the same time, they would benefit from receiving the funds provided to the states that adopted the reform and have serious issues in their healthcare systems.
Clearly, federalism cannot be perfect and supported by all the people in the country since it also has certain disadvantages. Ironically, states’ freedoms and ability to oppose the federal government is both favorable and sometimes harmful. As mentioned above, states had the authority to choose the most appropriate economic model, which made slavery (and later segregation) a norm in southern states (Krutz and Waskiewicz 84). Although several rules seemed undemocratic and inhumane for northern people, many Americans who lived in southern states did not view plantations and the use of slaves’ labor as something bad. Thousands of people were deprived of their right to be a citizen of the country they were born in, and this was safeguarded by the principles of federalism. Luckily, Americans managed to overcome these problems, which shows that federalism is an effective system that leads to progress.
Another disadvantage of federalism is the overlap of powers and responsibilities in some cases. For example, such natural disasters as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (that occurred in 2005) showed vulnerabilities of the system (Wilson et al. 61). The federal and state governments could not make correct and timely decisions regarding various issues such as repair and maintenance of facilities or the implementation of relief incentives. When such catastrophes strike, it is essential to make sure that every authority and official knows exactly what to do. Nevertheless, this shortcoming of federalism can be addressed, and such major events as natural disasters make federal and state governments collaborate and develop effective strategies and policies.
Finally, federalism is often associated with the unwanted competition that can lead to various political, economic, and demographic issues. Rivalry among states can lead to the introduction of higher or lower taxes, which can affect people’s lives (Wilson 66). States try to attract big companies with lower taxes or more favorable conditions but introduce regulations that are harmful to other organizations or individuals. Some residents find it impossible to live in certain states and travel to other places to start a new life. However, this disadvantage can be seen as the cost of competition and innovation. People choose the best conditions and support the policies they find the most effective. In the course of time, they manage to develop effective strategies to ensure the wellbeing of the majority. The critics of federalism say that the focus on the needs of the majority is a serious disadvantage of federalism, but this is one of the downsides of democracy as well. Besides, minority groups have the right to voice their concerns and their will and try to make their interests satisfied.
In conclusion, it is necessary to note that historical, political, and cultural peculiarities of the United States make federalism the most appropriate type of governance for the country. Although this model has some disadvantages, such as an overlap of responsibilities, uncertainty, and a degree of rivalry among states, federalism is a good choice for the USA. It serves as a platform for collaboration and innovation. States have the right to introduce policies and laws they find appropriate for their people. The most successful regulations can be used by other parts of the country. In case a policy is ineffective, other states and the federal government can assist by providing funds or other help. These days, Americans have numerous issues to discuss and try to make the most winning decisions, and federalism can help them to succeed. Of course, it is essential to focus on collaboration rather than concentrate on specific interests without any chance of compromising. The history of the USA shows that Americans can collaborate as they managed to make their country one of the leaders in the global arena.
Works Cited
Conlan, Timothy J., and Paul L. Posner. “American Federalism in an Era of Partisan Polarization: The Intergovernmental Paradox of Obama’s “New Nationalism”.” Publius: The Journal of Federalism, vol. 46, no. 3, 2016, pp. 281-307.
Krutz, Glen, and Sylvie Waskiewicz. American Government. 2nd ed., Phil OpenStax, 2019.
Rozell, Mark J., and Clyde Wilcox. Federalism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2019.
Wilson, James Q., et al. American Government: Institutions and Policies. Cengage Learning, 2018.