Week 3 (American Federalism)

US federalism means division of powers between states and national government. Basically it’s two different government, One is national government which can make treaties and trade with foreign countries, protect the country during foreign invasion. State government holds the power to regulate within the states boundary. Providing public safety, healthcare, education is state governments job. From 1913 federal government were able to collect taxes. Which gave federal govt more advantage to increase it’s revenue. Now the states more rely on federal grants to provide public benefits.

The advantage of federalism are states can dramatically improve public accommodation. States can make new policy within the state boundary. Disadvantage of federalism is a term called ” race to the bottom”. States compete with each other to gain economic prosperities. By lowering taxes some states attracts business which causes a decrease in state funds. It may lead to other issues like not having money for unemployment, Medicaid, public education etc.

The United States federalism govt is balanced. Like other countries US federal govt is not too powerful though not weak enough to function its duties. Both states and national govt have their reserved power. One can’t dominate the other.

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