Federalism is a system that presupposes the division of political power between state and federal governments. Like any other political system, it has both advantages and disadvantages. In some instances, there is a thin line between what is considered a benefit of the system and what is considered a drawback when it comes to the discussion of federalism. This essay will examine the advantages and disadvantages of federalism as a political system.
There are several advantages of federalism that can be discussed for this essay. The main advantage of federalism is the dispersion of political power. In federalism, power is divided between state and federal governments, making it challenging to monopolize the said power. For one political party or an individual to completely take over a country, it would require achieving an undisputed majority in all states. Even if this majority is reached, federalism prevents monopolization as passing any bill that can significantly impact the country requires the majority of voters to support it. Federalism effectively diffuses power, making it impossible for any political party to exploit it.
It can also be argued that federalism, as a political system, is more reactive to citizens’ needs. Residents of different states do not always have the same political preferences, and their economic needs differ depending on the state’s economy. For instance, states with the economy dependent on agriculture require different policies and regulations than those with a service-based economy. On the national level, it is impossible to cater to every state’s economic needs by a blanket policy, and it is easier to devolve certain powers to the state authorities. Moreover, in federalism, local governments can respond quickly to the needs of citizens who found themselves in a difficult situation without the earlier approval of the state and federal authorities. It should also be noted that the response time to citizens’ requests is much quicker on the local and state levels than on the federal level.
Another advantage stemming from the state governments being more responsive to their citizens’ needs is increased political participation. The unitary system often prevents citizens’ requests being answered, and it can lead to inevitable fatigue with politics. People are not likely to engage in a system that does not respond to their needs and does not support them. Thus, by being highly responsive to the public’s demands, federalism promotes political participation from it.
There are also certain disadvantages of federalism that need to be examined. One of the significant drawbacks of the system is the unavoidable division between national and state governments. Historically, it happened on numerous occasions, including during the Civil War. State authorities can disagree with a regulation passed by the national government and nullify it or challenge it in court, preventing the law from being implemented within the state’s borders. If the state and federal authorities cannot agree on an issue, it will inevitably affect the state’s citizens.
Furthermore, this can lead to certain undemocratic practices being reinforced by the government. Local and state governments can pass laws deemed undemocratic by other states and the federal government. However, overruling it will take time and can lead to further conflict between the divided authorities. Finally, federalism is a democratic system, and it protects the choice of the majority. This can put the minority of voters at a severe disadvantage if the state does not consider their rights and needs vital and does not consider protecting them.
Overall, federalism is a political system with both advantages and disadvantages. It can prevent the country’s political power from being monopolized and is more responsive to the citizens’ needs, evoking increased political participation from them. It has certain drawbacks, including the separation between state and federal authorities, possible support of undemocratic practices, and limited support of minorities. Nevertheless, the careful balance between state and federal governments can result in a stable political situation.