FEDERALISM

Federalism

Federalism

Federalism is a normative concept that emphasizes a diffusion of political authority among levels of government. Federal political systems are political organizations marked by shared power among their constituent units.

Federalism, as it has been understood in the United States, represents a balancing of objectives, not the least of which is occasioned by the fear of centralized power and a strong consolidated government. It has been suggested that our current concern with multiculturalism might revive this fear.

The true defenders of federalism were therefore the Constitution's opponents. The misnamed Anti-Federalists weakened their own case by acceding to the need for some additional ...