Question

Has the evolving relationship between the federal government and the states changed for the better or for the worse? Why?

Answer 1

In US the main layers of government is at state level and at national level. Federalism shows the system of shared governance between state and national government. The states and the national government have exclusive powers as well as concurrent powers. This helps to explain the negotiation over balance of power between these two.

Article IV of US constitution states the responsibilities of states to one another and of the federal government towards the states. Only federal government has the power to coin money, declare war or conduct foreign affairs. And both state and national government have the right to take tax and enforce regulations and to borrow money.

Now this evolving relationship between federal and state government has its ups and downs, there are advantages as well as few drawbacks.

• This federalism promotes innovation. More ideas and opinions can be used in policies.
• Another benefit of federalism is that if by any chance, any policy fails to get the desired results at one level, then it can be analysed and modified and used in the next level.
• Another benefit is the encouragement of more political participation.
• Now, a drawback that can be considered is that there are more chances of difference in opinion and every state's working pattern is different, their policies are different and that can be difficult work with complete cooperation of all statstates.

But as a whole, this evolving relationship between federal and state government was a good thing, as more efficient policies could be drafted when they were working together.