Two Centuries of History Within the United States, Essay Example

Over the course of two centuries of history within the United States, there has been a steady shift in the relationship of the federal and state power, with more leaning towards national supremacy. The debate between which power has more, was essentially settled in 1789 by which the Constitution granted the federal government rights to regulate interstate commerce, collect taxes, adjudicate legal disputes between states, and raise an army.  States were given power to mitigate problems within their legislation, and have been since trying to gain more power from the government. The main goal of the Constitution was to make a democracy in which the federal government would be advantageous to the people and the states. Not one entity would have ultimate power, but a balance between the two. This is established most notably by the three branches and the separation of powers.

Within the past twenty years, however, there has been a shift in the powers, with states gaining more relative power. This is seen under the concept of “New Federalism” in which started by Ronald Reagan that wanted to reverse the flow of power back to the states from the federal government. States have made laws are created when no national precedent is evident, such as the drinking ages that differ from 18 to 21 in some states, smoking limits, and other laws primarily designated to the states. States have moved to weaken the federal laws, and create their own legislation on significant issues such as the passage of marijuana in Washington and Colorado, and cases such as Affordable Healthcare Act, and Board v. Board of Education.  The federal government has chosen to accept most laws established in states, however, have shot down others that would violate the rights of citizens outlined in the Constitution. More importantly the federal is shifting to regain power from the states by implementing repercussions that would defund federal programs in an effort to restore balance.