What Is Federalism? Essay Example

Federalism is a form of government that divides power between a central government and state governments. This is the most basic form of federalism and it is known as state federalism. In most forms of federalism “power over matters affecting the people as a whole, such as external affairs, commerce, coinage, and the maintenance of military forces, are usually granted to the central government.” (“federal government”). Other forms of federalism include dual federalism which divides power between national and state authority in precise legal terms reserving state power without federal interference. In cooperative federalism national and state governments pursue policy in a joint fashion. In centralized federalism the national government imposes policy on the states. The basic differences between each of these forms of federalism is in the way that each views the separation of power between the federal and state governments.

These points can be used to highlight the differences in viewpoint between President Obama and Governor Rick Perry about the roles of the U.S. government to Texas government and their relation to one another. In regard to a substantial federal policy such as the Affordable Care Act, Obama is pursuing an aggressive form of centralized federalism. By contrast, Perry advocates dual federalism and views the ACA as on overreach of federal authority. Although I personally support the idea of providing health care for all citizens, I agree with Perry’s contention that the ACA is a form of centralized federalism that is in many ways contrary to the US constitution. The constitution provides that all powers not specifically assigned to the federal government are reserved to the states. The fact that President Obama’s ACA will force people in every state to purchase health insurance expands federal power while infringing on the power of the states. This means, for example, that a state is unable to pass a law exempting its citizens from participating in the federal health care program. Such a policy goes beyond the balance offered by dual federalism and the protection to states offered by state federalism and brings America closer to a form of centralized federalism that is not indicated in the constitution.

Works Cited

“Federal Government.” The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed. 2013.