Federalism

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the fundamental principle behind the notion of federalism, that no particular level of government can unilaterally wield power over an entire nation. The paper explains that the federal government is responsible for identifying the fundamental laws and ideologies of a nation that the territories are allowed to address as they see fit. It also, however, pertains to specific mechanisms. The paper contends that, in this respect, federalism within the United States can be exemplified by the specific mechanism by which amendments are to be ratified; amendments require approval of two-thirds of both houses of Congress and three-quarters of the fifty states. The paper compares American federalism to that of other countries, such as Russia and Nigeria.

From the Paper:

"The implications of this severe level of territorial autonomy include a strong aversion among many Russians to the entire notion of federalism. They point to the corruption of the government, and the illegitimacy of regional elections. Many Russians today call for a much stronger, centralized form of rule; generally, rejecting both the advantages and disadvantages of federalist organization. Clearly, in Russia there appears to be little or no middle road when it comes to the notion of territorial autonomy: the necessities involved in holding the nation together after the Soviet collapse have generated gross injustices for the people of Russia, and the most expedient solution-to some-appears to be radical in nature."

More papers on Federalism:

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• Essay # 74134 : "Contemporary Federalism: Education in America"
• Argumentative Essay # 143226 : "Canadian Federalism as a Governing Model"

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