Federalism: Development And Consequences
Of Federalism Questions And Correct Answers
Latest Version 2024
What is federalism? Answer: A theory of government by which political power is divided between a
national government and state governments, each having their own areas of substantive jurisdiction.
Has the concept of federalism changed, and if so, why? Answer: Federalism is not a fixed concept; it
is ever changing. As America has changed, so has the concept of federalism. The most significant
changes that have occurred in the USA since 1787 and have led to the development and evolution of
federalism are:
1) westward expansion.
2) the growth in population.
3) industrialisation.
4) improvements in communication - by road, rail, air, post, telephone, radio, television, e-mail, etc.
5) America's foreign policy role and world-power status.
During the latter part of the nineteenth century and the first two-thirds of the twentieth century, all
these five factors led to an increased role for the federal government and a decline in the power of state
governments. But during the final third of the twentieth century, there was a distinct move in the
opposite direction as Americans wanted to see more power and more decisions devolved to the states
wherever this was possible. It is therefore possible to discern three distinct phases of federalism in
America.
What are the three stages of federalism in America? Answer: 1) Dual federalism (1780s-1920s) - an
era in which the state governments had significant power.
2) Cooperative federalism (1930s-1960s) - an era in which the federal government became more and
more powerful, sometimes at the expense of the states. This is associated with the Democratic
presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy and Johnson, as well as with the USA becoming a world power.
The federal government administered categorical grants, schemes by which Washington was able to
stipulate how federal tax dollars were used by the states.
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