Federalism

Federalism is the constitutional division of power between a central (federal) government and regional (state) governments. In the United States, this division is enshrined in the Constitution, making it a defining feature of American governance. For Edexcel A-Level Politics, understanding federalism is essential both as a standalone topic and as a key point of comparison with the UK's unitary system and devolution arrangements.

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Constitutional Foundations of Federalism

Why the Founders Chose Federalism

The Founding Fathers adopted federalism as a compromise between those who wanted a strong central government (the Federalists, such as Alexander Hamilton) and those who feared central tyranny and wished to preserve state sovereignty (the Anti-Federalists, such as Patrick Henry).

Key reasons for choosing federalism:

• Historical precedent - the thirteen original states had governed themselves as separate colonies and were reluctant to surrender sovereignty entirely
• Size and diversity - a vast and diverse nation required flexibility in governance
• Protection against tyranny - dividing power between levels of government reduces the risk of any single authority becoming too powerful
• Accommodation of regional differences - states could tailor policies to local needs and values

Constitutional Provisions