What is Federalism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

What is Federalism - Research Paper Example The federal government was left to handle the issue of interstate and international commerce and coining of the currency while the states dealt with and regulating the interstate power and to conduct their own elections as well as to exercises their own powers which had not been defined by the constitution. This type of federalism was however overtaken by state federalism which was also known as cooperative federalism where there was cooperation between the state and national government and this took place between 1939 and 1969. There were no clear boundaries where one type of authority began or ended even in the local level of governance. Between 1969 and the present new federalism prevailed. It insists on devolution where the states are given some power and responsibilities and limiting of powers of the federal government. This was called for on the logic that the locals and states were in a better position to be effective since they are at the people’s level and understands the circumstances at that level better than the federal government would. Federalism has allowed sharing of not only power but responsibilities as well. This has led to a peaceful coexistence and working together between the two types of governance system on social issues but more so political issues (Welch, Gruhl, Rigdon and Thomas, 2011). State legislators aim to bring to their respective houses prospective laws and policies that will not only benefit their state but other state as well which leads to coexistence in politics a thing which was previously not possible in the previous types of federalism or would simply be non-existent. A country having the all the powers being held by only one person leads to dictatorship and political problems. This is what happens in nations that lack federalism or even just devolution of powers which are only held by a few people in the government. With the system of federalism where power is divided between the federal and state,