What Federalism means for us | Opinion
“Federalism” is not ― as the word might suggest ― a system in which the federal government dominates. Rather, it is a system in which the powers of government are divided between a national government and state governments. This division of power has helped to preserve our freedom in the United States for more than 230 years.
As Americans, what does federalism mean for us? And why do we use this system instead of some other? It is beneficial to know the answers to these questions for two main reasons: First, our government entities impact us each day, and we should understand how they work. Second, knowing the history and reasons for our system helps us to become informed citizens who cannot easily be misled, especially by those with power and influence.
In everyday life, federalism means that government policies, such as taxation, can differ from state to state. It is also how we are able to address issues, from crime and punishment to the funding of roads and infrastructure, more directly in each locality to fit the needs of affected citizens. It is a unique way to have unity as one country through a stable national government on the world stage while simultaneously taking advantage of the opportunity to customize and experiment with policies at the state level. The national government regulates commerce across state lines, issues our currency, and declares war, for example. These are some of its enumerated powers under our Constitution. Meanwhile, the states and the people have reserved other powers that were not delegated to the national government. This is the idea behind the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution.
Daily, we see what this arrangement means for us, as we entrust government officials at different levels to handle a plethora of tasks and responsibilities. It is unlikely that an individual citizen could defend against a hostile nation, conduct intricate international affairs, organize a police department, or create and maintain highways. The federal government alone would be too big, too distant, and too impersonal, while state governments alone would be too small and lack resources.
As James Madison wrote in Federalist No. 10, as he advocated the ratification of our Constitution in 1787: “The federal Constitution forms a happy combination in this respect; the great and aggregate interests being referred to the national, the local and particular to the State legislatures.”
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Our Constitution is the legal and structural basis for federalism, our nation as a republic, and our individual rights. It is significant and foundational because, after independence was achieved, but before our Constitution was adopted, the United States operated under a document called the “Articles of Confederation.” This document ― a constitution of sorts ― was found inadequate because it did not confer enough authority on the national government to handle even national affairs. It did not strike the right balance in its division of power between the national and state governments.
Another flaw of the Articles was that they did not contain a vital component that our Constitution now does: three separate branches of government, each with its own role. The Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches today are not only operational at the national level, but in each state to “check and balance” each other. This separation of powers and their ability to act independently of and to contradict one another further divides government authority, preventing any single person or branch from wielding a concentration of power.
The whole purpose of our Constitution is to provide a foundation for nationwide stability and unity by establishing rules and boundaries for government. It safeguards freedom and liberty through these limitations on power and its guarantee of rights for all citizens. Federalism is one of several constitutional mechanisms that help to guard against the powers of government being used oppressively, as was the experience of early Americans who declared their independence from King George III, compiling twenty-seven specific grievances against him in our Declaration of Independence. These Americans waged war against England to break away, and many died in battle and as prisoners of war.
Our Constitution is the product of years of firsthand experience with the nature of man and power. It recognizes that the government of a nation is to be used for the benefit of its citizens, not against them. That is what it ― and federalism ― mean for us.
Nicole James teaches political science at Eastern Florida State College.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Our Constitution as legal and structural basis for federalism
