Instant Access To 100,000+ Essays!

Federalism in the American form of government is a distinctly unique form that is not practiced elsewhere. Quite unlike any other system established, American federalism was formed upon specifically American ideals of liberty. Federalism gives both the national and the state government separate spheres of authority, which cannot be tainted by the other. Consequently, while states retain a degree of sovereignty, nationalistic interests can still pervade regional concerns and the federal government can assert control when necessary. Not only does the federal system in America allow the government to act upon the needs of the nation, but it limits the possibility of control of the government by a particular faction and provides a safeguard against the”tyranny of the majority.” Clearly, Federalism is the groundwork for the American government. It sets up the separation of powers, checks and balances, and the relationships between state and federal governments. The constitutional vagueness (particularly on the definition of federalism) that we have become so accustomed to leads the incredible importance of the court and its ongoing role of providing us with clarity on the issue. Justice O’Connor’s “protect us from our