Federalism

Federalism is a system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central government and regional or sub-divisional governments. Both types of government act directly upon the people through their officials and laws.

Federalism can be seen a compromise between the extreme concentration of power and a loose confederation of independent states for governing a variety of people usually in a large expanse of territory. Federalism has the virtue of retaining local pride, traditions and power, while allowing a central government that can handle common problems.

The Constitution set up a division of power between the federal and state governments which initially limited the federal unit to the fields of defence, foreign affairs, the control of the currency and the control of commerce between the states.

If a state’s laws offend against the Constitution, the Supreme Court can declare them unconstitutional. If these laws conflict with valid federal laws then the Supreme Court can take the same course of action. If the Supreme Court decides that a law passed by Congress violates the rights of states, then that law can also be declared unconstitutional in America.