Evolving federalism in US

Federalism is a crucial feature that is widely implemented today in the United States as well as in several other nations around the world. In fact, more than 70 of nations around the world have some federalism elements while approximately 20 of the states in the world are actually federal states. In simple terms, federalism refers to a scenario whereby power is divided between the central government of a country and the participating members within the country. The manner in which power is divided is an aspect that is subjective to federalism, which used to exist before the US framers. Through necessity and compromise, the seeds of a central government that was strong in the US were well planted alongside with state governments that were also strong. As time passed by, these seeds grew into a strong central government. This growth was enhanced by national growth, wars and economic fluctuations, with eventually a central government that was very strong (Sder, 2009).

Development of federalism in the US
As the United States idea of federalism got altered the central government of the country grew more and more powerful, the governments of the states gave away more powers and there was the establishment of the local governments. In the US relations of intergovernmental, there are five federalism stages that are used in identifying the three main components of American federalism. The three components include creative federalism, cooperative federalism and dual federalism. The five stages that bring about these terms are still valid as far as the federalism history of the country is concerned. The first federalism stage known as the dual federalism era started in the year 1789 and ended in 1861. During this period, the state, local and national governments operated independently and none relied on the other. During these days, federalism was considered to be the political movement with the greatest influence resulting from discontent of the confederations articles. Most of the leading federalist had the propensity of being sympathetic to craftsmen, merchants, manufacturers, traders and the capital holders. According to these federalists, only a very strong national government could have the ability of dealing effectively with the several and developing crises that were being faced by the young US (Sder, 2009).

This led to the movement which was substantially strengthened by the 1786-1787 Shays rebellion, this rebellion was an uprising that was armed of the western Massachusetts yeoman farmers. It was greatly fueled by the ailing economy brought about by the federal governments inability to effectively deal with debts of the American Revolution. Furthermore, the US federal government was perceived to be incapable of funding its military forces to stop the rebellion, thereby forcing the Massachusetts to raise their own forces. This uprising finally brought about the philosophy that government should be restricted to the powers that are enumerated to it hence all the other powers were supposed to be held by the states. There were therefore the 16th and the 17th amendments that effectively bolstered the national governments powers (Buettner, 2007).

The great depression of the 1930s marked a sharp end of the dual federalism together with a spectacular shift from a weak national government to a strong one. The new deal policies of President Roosevelt touched the lives of the citizens of US more than any other federal measure in the past. The national government of the US was compelled to cooperate with each and every government level in the country in order to implement policies of the new deal. The local government gained equal status as the other levels of governance, since the federal government of the country depended heavily on the political machines that were available at the city level in bypassing the legislatures of the state (Sder, 2009).

The responsibility divisions that were formerly distinct between the national and the state government were described as a layer of a cake, which had blurred lines of duty. Cooperative federalism was therefore compared to picket fence or a marble cake. In this form of federalism, the funds of the federal governments were distributed via categorical grants or aid grants which effectively made the federal government to have more control and authority over the manner in which money was to be used. It is through cooperative federalism that the economy of the US became much integrated and fiscal decisions made in a more centralized manner (Buettner, 2007).

Eventually, the creative or the new federalism emerged towards the end of the twentieth century all the way to the early twenty first century. This federalism was highly characterized by steady return of several powers back to the governments of the states. The new federalism was started by President Reagan throughout the 1980s. In the past, the federal government could grant funds to the states in a categorical manner, thus restricting the states to only apply such funds for certain programs.

However, the administration of President Reagan introduced the practice of providing the states with block grants. This move effectively freed the governments of various states to apply the funds in the programs they deemed fit without being strictly regulated by the federal government on the application of such funds. It is for this reason why this form of federalism is referred to as the rights of the states, although most of its proponents often eschew the rights of the states since it is associated with segregation and Jim Crow. Unlike in the case of rights of states movement that took place in the mid of the twentieth century, which was mainly centered around the movement of the civil rights, the movement of the new federalism was mainly concerned with the expansive commerce clause interpretations, especially in areas dealing with medical marijuana, gun possession, powers of the federal police and partial birth abortion (Sder, 2009).

Conclusion
Federalism in the United States has evolved from very delicate forms of dual federalism in which the young US state, federal and local governments operated as distinct units. However, over the years, federalism in the country has evolved and developed integrating all the governments in such a way that each and every government has its duties and responsibilities that are very clear. The states governments have more powers and can make decisions that are valid as far as their states are concerned. Despite the fact that the state and the local governments appear to be distinct from the federal government, they actually complement it but at a lower level. The United States provide the best example in the world of a federalist government that has developed over time to integrate all the governments within its jurisdictions giving them the appropriate powers to govern their states and local authorities. The state governments are therefore in a position of making several decisions without consulting the federal government.

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