Part III of “Federalism and the Making of America” by Robertson

The discussion topic

The topic of discussion in this part focuses on the Construction of an Active Government. In this chapter, the author has explained the process of building an active government in America through a number of several strategies. He argues that an active government in America was achieved through progressive reforms¹. Several reforms took place in the federalization period. One of the most significant reform processes was the expansion of the government and democracy.

As the country’s federal structure was being constituted, laws and their limitations were introduced in order to maintain harmony among the people. Such laws included the state policy and its limits, laws governing women issues, and labor laws among several other very crucial regulations². Federalism was also enhanced by “the grand strategy and the rise of intergovernmental relations³.”

In this book, it is clearly argued that liberal activism was a major contribution to federalism. Activism is cited as one of the strategies used by the public to force the government to adopt the new political deal according to the author’s definition. He has effectively attributed the conservative type governance to federalism especially when he speaks about “the backlash against liberalism and the rise of conservatism⁴.”

Critiquing the writer’s argument

According to the author, federalism was a political battlefield and a platform for the elite to display their political might. He tries to bring out a supremacy battle between the conservatives and the liberals. With this approach, I think the writer has clearly displayed his understanding of America’s historic political development. He has clearly discussed the roles played by republicans, democrats, conservatives, and liberals as well as the other interested parties⁵.

According to the author, the conservatives have been fighting against federalism for a long time⁶. He asserts that federalism is a tool used to protect rights. This assertion can partially be true given that the author feels there may be discrepancies that may his assertion wrong.

However, I think in his claim he has tried to attach his emotions with the content of his text in a very successful way. His expression of the political events that have to lead to the creation of the greatest nation in the world is outstanding and excellent. He has extensively displayed his prowess in the field by building a case that is convincing and acceptable to the readers

My own points

In my opinion, the making of America is a process that involved several post-colonial negotiations. The political elites have built Federalism over the years through some fundamental compromises and agreements⁷. Federalism was meant to create a governance system that will work for the country. Through the separation of powers in different levels of governance, management of the country’s resources is much easier than in a centralized form of government⁸.

Who between the liberals and the conservatives displays more support for federalism?

As discussed in the book, the conservatives have exposed an obscured contempt of the idea of federalism. On the other hand, the liberals seem to embrace the concept hence creating opinionated conflicts between the two main political divides. This is why the author refers to federalism as a political battlefield.

References

Edsitement. 2015. “The Federalist and Anti-federalist Debates on Diversity and the Extended Republic.” Web.

Robertson, David. Federalism and the Making of America. New York: Routledge, 2011.

Footnotes

1. Robertson, David. 2011. Federalism and the Making of America. New York: Routledge.
2. Ibid, 102.
3. Ibid, 118.
4. Ibid, 148.
5. Robertson, (Federalism and the Making), 169.
6. Ibid.
7. Excitement. 2015. “The Federalist and Anti-federalist Debates on Diversity and the Extended Republic.” Web.
8. Ibid.