Pros and cons of federalist set-up
THE advantages of federalism as trumpeted by its proponents are as follows: 1. Encourages local initiatives Federalism permits diversity. Local governments may deal directly with local problems. The entire nation is not straitjacketed with a uniform policy to which every state and community must conform. State and local governments may be local problems. Washington bureaucrats do not always know the best solution for problems in Commerce, Texas. 2. Pursuit of local goals - mitting states and communities to pursue their own policies reduces the pressures that would build up in Washington if the national government had to decide everything. Federalism permits citizens to decide many things at the state and local levels of government and avoid battling over single national policies to be applied uniformly throughout the land. 3. Allows for power redistribution Federalism disperses power. The widespread distribution of power is generally regarded as a protection against tyranny. To the extent that pluralism thrives in the United States, state and local governments have contributed to its success. State and local governments also provide a political base for the survival of the opposition party when it loses national elections. 4. Increases political participants Federalism increases political participation. It allows more people to run for and million people hold some kind of po school districts, and special districts. These local leaders are often regarded as closer Public opinion polls show that Americans believe that their local governments are more manageable and responsive than the national government. 5. Cuts red tape Federalism improves efficiency. Even though we may think of 80,000 the entire nation from Washington would be even worse. Imagine the bureaucracy, red tape, delays, and confusion if every government activity in every community in the nation—po garbage collections, sewage disposal, street lighting, and so on—were controlled by a central government in Washington. Even in the Soviet Union, where centralized discipline and party control are a matter of political ideology, leaders have been forced to resort to decentralization simply as a practical matter. Moreover, federalism encourages experimentation and innovation in public policy in the states.
Opponents of Federalism have cited the following disadvantages: 1. Protects special interest groups Federalism allows special interests to protect their privileges. For many years, segregationists used the argument of states’ rights to avoid federal laws designed to guarantee equality and prevent discrimination. Indeed, the states’ rights argument has been used so often in defense of racial discrimination that it has become a code word for racism. Federalism allows the benefits and costs of government to be spread unevenly. Some states spend more than twice as much per capita as other states on education. Even in the same state, some wealthy school districts spend two or three times as much as poorer districts. The taxes in some states are much higher state income tax at all.
3. Creates disadvantages in poorer states and communities
Poorer states generally provide lower levels of education, health, and welfare services; police protection; and environmental protection than wealthier states and communities. 4. Obstructs action on national issues For many years, decentralizing the issue of civil rights allowed segregation to was nationalized in the 1960s by the civil progress. Minorities can usually expect better treatment by national agencies than by state or local authorities.
Political federalism idealistic
Political federalism adds an additional layer of bureaucracy assuming that regional governments are omniscient social planners forgetting that. Policymakers at any level are primarily politicians in this framework, motivated office ( which could include private returns from its corrupt use), lobbyist contribution, etc.
Moreover, administrators at all levels may or may not have the capacity and power to enforce the policies they deem