Federalism in the US Consititution, Essay Example

Federalism is a system developed based upon principles composed of integrating, overlapping, sharing, and competing with other powers and levels within the government. In the United States, federalism occurs between the federal and state government entities. The implementation of the United States Constitution in 1788 ordered different powers to the national government and the states. The division of powers was broken into different types of powers, such as delegated powers, reserved powers and concurrent powers.  Delegated powers are the powers provided to the federal government.  Reserved powers are provided to the states and concurrent powers are shared by both the federal and state government.  (Bainbridge State College, 1)

Although the authority within the United Sates is government through a distribution of powers, the federalistic system also uses what is known as “checks and balances”. The checks and balances system allows the states and local government entities to prevent the federal government from taking advantage of their power, and vice versa. (United States Department of State Bureau of International Information Programs, 1)  Federalism is a crucial part of the United States government. In addition, over the course of time, an evolutionary relationship with other government entities has been observed. The current paper examines federalism and its evolution over the course of the time and how federalism has influenced the United States policies that are in effect today.

There are six major eras in American history that related to federalism based on theories developed during those eras. The first era of federalism in the United States is referred to as, “nation-centered federalism”.  The theory supports the Constitution as the focal point for American politics. It was during this era when the cohesion of the federal and state powers were brought together.  (Evans, 3)In the 1840s, theories were developed from anti-centralists who supported a more state-centered government.  Supporters of the state-centered federalisttheory argued that the state was limited in restricting the power of the federal government. History indicates this theory on government position as the start of the Civil War.  In fact, it was during the Civil War when the theory of Dual Federalism emerged, supporting the notion that the state and federal governments should be supported as two separate powers.  However, the struggle for power provided the state and federal governments the ability to recognize the need to share the authority. After the Civil War, the theory of Cooperative Federalism emerged due to events such as such as the Great Depression, World War I, and World War II and the increase in government activities at all levels and the need for collaboration.  (Evans, 6)

During the 1960’s, the view on federalism changed from cooperative to what is known as creative.  Creative federalism was an extension of Cooperative Federalism, but emphasized more power for the local and private governments. It was during this era when new relationships were established.   (Evans, 7)The establishment of new relationships between the federal, state and local governments was important, as the federal government would not have the capability and/or time to handle all of the problems that occur at the state and local levels and what brought about the New Federalism era, which is current today and in which the authority is close to the people, with authority also persisting in the local and state as well.   (8)

Overall, the history of federalism has molded the policies that govern the Unites States today. Due to federalism, the Unites States is composed of diverse political groups with different ideas, which allows the groups to collaborate and maintain the power of the United States as a strong nation.

Works Cited

Bainbridge State College. Federalism in the U.S. Consititution.  Retrieved from:  Retrieved from: http://fsweb.bainbridge.edu/jvanzo/Federalism.pdf

Evans, E.  American Federalism: The Evolution of Intergovernmental Relations in the United States. 1981.  Nebraska Publications Clearinghouse.  40 pgs.  Retrieved from: http://nlcs1.nlc.state.ne.us/epubs/H2832/B001-1981.pdf

United States Department of State Bureau of International Information Programs. (2014). What Is Federalism?  Retrieved from: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/amgov/133183/english/P_You_Asked_WhatIsFederalism.pdf