Federalism vs. Anti-Federalism

1. Federalism vs. Anti-Federalism American Political Institutions Fawn Gibson

2. Federalism vs. Anti-Federalism • Federalist: favored the strong national government and supported the US constitution later became the first US political Party • Anti-federalists: Those who favored strong state governments and a weak national government and opposed the ratification of the US constitution

3. Federalism vs. Anti-Federalism • States that did not ratify the Constitution would not be considered a part of the Union and would be separate countries. • Passage of the Constitution by the states was by no means certain in 1787. many people at that time opposed the creation of a federal, or national, government that would have power over the states.

4. Federalism vs. Anti-Federalism • The Anti-Federalists believed that each state should have a sovereign, independent government. • The Federalists favored the creation of a strong federal government that would more closely unite the states as one large, continental nation.

5. Federalism vs. Anti-Federalism • The Anti-Federalists feared that the Constitution gave the president too much power and that the proposed Congress would be too aristocratic in nature, with too few representatives for too many people. • The Federalists were also much more favorably disposed toward commerce

6. Federalism vs. Anti-Federalism The Federalist Papers makes case for the necessity of federal government in preserving order and securing the liberty. a weak union of the states will make the country more vulnerable to internal and external dissension,civil war and invasion from foreign powers.

7. Federalism vs. Anti-Federalism • Madison divided popular government into two types: • Democracy: all citizens participate directly in the decisions of government. • Republic, representatives elected by the people make the decisions of government.

8. Federalism vs. Anti-Federalism • Adding a Bill of Rights • The Bill of Rights was a concession made by the Federalists to the Anti-federalists, who were concerned that a strong government would usurp the rights of individuals and states.

9. State vs. Federal Government? • Arguments for leaving substantial power with the states:1.  States can better tailor laws to local conditions.2.  States can provide a laboratory to test innovative ideas which, if successful, can then be adopted by other jurisdictions.3.  Leaving power with the states promotes laws that better reflect the values of a majority of people governed by the laws.

10. State vs. Federal Government? • Arguments for having power reside in the federal government:1.  "Enlarging the sphere" makes it less likely that oppressive majorities can form to harm minorities.2.  The national government generally will have more expertise than state governments.3.  Certain rights should belong to all citizens of the U. S.

11. State vs. Federal Government? 4.  Uniform laws better facilitate the flow of commerce.5.  Efficiency: the exercise of federal power can avoid a duplication of resources by the various states.6.  State power can lead to "the race to the bottom" (pollution laws, usery laws, etc.)

12. State vs. Federal Government? • Which are best left to the states, and which seem more appropriate exercises of federal power? • Speed limits on interstate highways • The decision whether or not to recognize gay marriages

13. State vs. Federal Government? • the decision whether or not to allow a particular drug to be sold at all • limits on emissions from power plants • guarantees of access for the disabled to public buildings • the decision of whether to impose the death penalty for murder

14. State vs. Federal Government? • hunting regulations for duck and geese (season, limits) • the decision whether to allow doctor-assisted euthanasia • the setting of standards that students must achieve to gain a high school diploma