The Concept of Federalism

1
The Concept of Federalism

• SSCG5 The student will demonstrate knowledge of
  the federal system of government described in the
  Constitution

2
Shared Powers?

• Decisions
• Parents /
• Guardians
• Might Make

Decisions You and Parents/ Guardians Might Make
Together
Decisions You Might Make
3
The Argument

• The concept of Federalism is the division of
  powers among the local, state, and national
  governments.
• What do you think gave birth to this idea that is
  uniquely American?
• Those that opposed this idea of Federalism were
  known as Anti-Federalists.
• Why did the Anti-Federalists oppose Federalism?

4
Anti-Federalists

• Fear of the tyranny that we just revolted against
• Tyranny central governmental authority
• A general aversion to strong distant power
• A reverence for the Individual
• Agrarian-minded as opposed to industrial /
  merchant-minded (Federalists)

5
Anti-Federalists argued that

• Only a small republic could enjoy a voluntary
  attachment of the people to the government and a
  voluntary obedience to the laws
• if too large, the people will be suspicious of
  the govt and not obey them
• Only a small republic can secure a genuine
  responsibility of the government to the people
• if too large, the govt would not be dependent
  on the people but vice versa
• Only a small republic can form the kind of
  citizens who will maintain republican govt
• if too large, the character of the people will
  be effected negatively

6
Federalists countered

• An effective govt with a strong administration
  would secure the patriotic loyalty and
  law-abidingness of the people
• Having representatives that are more
  knowledgeable than the common man in a
  centralized governmental setting was preferable
  to the alternative
• Diverse commercial opportunities for all would be
  instrumental in preventing tyranny

7
Argue against these Federalist points (below) in
the context of Todays Federal System

• An effective govt with a strong administration
  would secure the patriotic loyalty and
  law-abidingness of the people
• Having representatives that are more
  knowledgeable than the common man in a
  centralized governmental setting was preferable
  to the alternative
• Diverse commercial opportunities for all would be
  instrumental in preventing tyranny

8
Why Federalism?

• Central govt solves disputes between States
• Need for national military met
• Taxation to run the central authority
• Foreign relations on behalf of all
• Regulates commerce among / between the States
• Common Currency
• All for the Common Good

9
Why did the Anti-Federalists lose the argument?

• Practicality Idealism vs. Reality
• Generally speaking, the arguments were weak in
  the context of a growing nation with a large land
  mass (and soon to be larger).
• A dangerous, complicated world
• The principles of the Revolution are not
  generally hostile to govt per se but to
  tyrannical govt

10
Thought

• Have we allowed the Federal System to become
  Tyrannical? Why or Why Not?