Federalism
The history of the United States is bound up in the ongoing debate between federalism and anti-federalism; between a federal government that has a strong mandate vs. one that is relatively weak vs. The localized state governments. The original Articles of the Confederation established a central government so weak that it barely existed other than on paper. From the perspective of states' rights in issues like slavery and commerce, federalism seemed antithetical to the birth of the new nation as it wrested itself free from the tyranny of British monarchy.
However, the need for a stronger federal government became apparent quickly after Independence. Independence gave rise for the real need for a standing army, one that required federal funding, federal management, and federal mandate. Moreover, the new nation needed cohesive means by which to organize international trade and treaties. A strong federal government also became increasingly crucial in establishing a core national identity. Federalism helped create what can be called an organizational...
Democracy Briefly describe the concepts of federalism and separation of powers Federalism is when there is a separation of powers between the federal and state governments. This is designed to ensure that no form of government would undermine the civil rights of the general public. The basic idea is to reserve specific powers for them and help to address issues which are most important to select areas of the country. This will
However, post-Reconstruction, 'states rights' often became a code word for Jim Crow legislation. Southern states demanded the 'right' for the majority to engage in de facto segregation of schools and to institute limits upon how voting rights were exercised. Many Americans do not know that the Bill of Rights originally was only intended to govern the actions of the federal government, not the states. "The debate over whether the Fourteenth
Opposition to same-sex marriage is strong and vocal, while support for same sex marriage is equally strong and vocal. An understanding of constitutional arguments will be helpful in determining whether or not federal or state government should have the right too define marriage. The overturn of a statute prohibiting homosexual sodomy, in Lawrence vs. Texas, opened the constitutional debate over same sex marriage in the United States. Lawrence vs. Texas,
Political Parties and Democracy A central claim of democratic theory is that democracy induces governments to be responsive to the preferences of the people. Political parties serve to organize politics in almost every modern democracy in the world (in both presidential and parliamentary systems). Some observers claim that the parties are what induce democracies to be responsive. In this essay, the author will show this point of democracy being dependent upon
S. Senators and describe the difference between the number of each state's U.S. Senators and the number of its U.S. Representatives (i.e. The "Great Compromise"). A b) Is Congress truly representative of the American people from the perspective of demographics? A member of the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent. Representatives serve for
Essay Topic Examples 1. The Evolution of Federalism in the United States: This essay will explore the historical trajectory of federalism in the United States, tracing its development from the framing of the Constitution to contemporary interpretations and applications. It will examine pivotal events and Supreme Court cases that have shaped the power dynamics between federal and state governments. 2. Comparative Federalism: The United States and the European Union: This topic will delve into
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