The Advantages Of Having A Strong National Government

Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between the central (national) government and regional (state) governments. (Ch.3, p. 67).
An advantage of a strong national government is that whenever there is a conflict between national and state governments, the national government will always prevail. The doctrine of national supremacy says that the Constitution and the Laws of the United States is the supreme Law of the Land, which extends to state courts and constitutions. This is an advantage because it shows that the national government is and will always be stronger than state governments. (Ch.3, p.67). Some specific powers that the national government has are the authority to collect taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce, declare war, and maintain an army and navy. The framers of the Constitution wanted to have a strong, active government, therefore they declared that could write laws that are needed to accomplish its expressed powers. This meant that the expressed powers are a source of strength for the national government, instead of a limitation. (Ch.2, p.44). Some disadvantages to having a strong national government are that most of the essential governing in the United States is done by the states’ governments, and that the national government does not get to make laws
States can develop and enforce criminal codes, administer health and safety rules, and to regulate the family through marriage and divorce laws. They also have the power to regulate individual’s livelihoods, define private property, and make laws that are essential to citizens’ everyday lives. States use “police power” to coerce its citizens to maintain public order. (Ch.3, p.68). A disadvantage of having a “small” state government is that if there ever is a disagreement between the states and the national government, the national government will always