Pros and Cons of Federalism Flashcards
What are the 5 pros of federalism?
1) Permits diversity
2) Creates more access points to government
3) Better protects individual rights
4) States can become policy laboratories
5) Suits a big country
How does federalism allow diversity?
Each state can retain their own identity and culture, allowing them to draw on their own strengths to become successful.
What may states be very different in?
Their socio-economic problems, federalism allows these to be addressed in the best possible way
What is an access point?
Any chance the electorate has to influence politics
Why does federalism increase the access points?
There are two layers so elections for all are open
How does Federalism better protect individual rights?
With two layers of government checking on each other the people are less likely to have draconian laws passed on them
How are states used a policy labs?
States can be used as an experiment to see whether the policy will work nationally
Give an example of a state being used as a policy lab
Massachusetts in 2006 a program was introduced guaranteeing a minimum level of health insurance for their citizens.
How does federalism suit a big country?
Legitimacy is hard to maintain unless the people fee close to government and decision making. Federalism allows each state a measure of independence within the federal framework.
What can federalism hide?
Socio-economic and racial inequalities
What is a source of trouble in federalism
Antagonism between the federal government and state government
What can be frustrating about federalism?
The obstruction of the national will (the democratically expressed view of the majority) megs that some states can enact legislation that is at odds to the majority, such as Jim Crow laws
What can federalism be in terms of rules?
overly bureaucratic and expensive
