Sovereignty is constitutionally divided between the central governing authority and constituent political units.
History
- The Articles of Confederation required replacement
- Shays’ Rebellion of 1786-1787
- The results of the Civil War strengthened the position of the federal government
- President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced New Deal policies
The Role of Federalism
- Compromise between states
- Delegates power to the states
- It is highly practical in large countries
- It makes the government more accessible
- Introduces agile regional management
- Decentralizes policies
- Decentralizes politics
- Interrelation with Federal Government
The principles of federalism embodied in the Constitution divide power between the national and state government. Such division is essential in terms of maintaining the constitutionally limited federal government.
The Influence of Federalism
The principles of federalism also divide budgeting responsibilities between the national government and state/local governments.
Federal Agency Spending and Public Budgeting
- Department of the Treasury $3,310,360,134,355
- Department of Health and Human Services $2,592,049,850,111
- Department of Defense $1,432,744,983,050
- Social Security Administration $865,650,926,252
- Department of Labor $864,416,493,017
- Small Business Administration $409,538,662,595
- Department of Education $371,400,504,765
- Department of Veterans Affairs $315,345,580,654
- Office of Personnel Management $292,575,684,905
- Department of Agriculture $272,470,953,511