<aside> 💡 From this lesson, you must know…
This lesson explains the differences between federal and unitary governments, with a focus on the United States. In a federal system, power is shared between a central government and regional governments, while in a unitary system, power is centralized in a single body. The lesson also discusses the division of power in the US federal system and the benefits and drawbacks of both federal and unitary systems.
Federalism is a system of government in which power is shared between a central government and regional governments. The central government is responsible for matters that affect the entire country, such as national defense, foreign policy, and interstate commerce. The regional governments are responsible for matters that affect only their own regions, such as education, law enforcement, and transportation.
Please note: The Federal Government of the United States and federal government - or federalism are two different things. It is important to understand the distinction between the Federal Government of the United States and federalism as concepts. Although the terms may sound similar, they refer to two different things. The Federal Government of the United States is the national government established by the Constitution, which has specific powers and responsibilities, while federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.
| National | State | Local |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Government | State Government | City/Municipal Government |
| Interstate Regulators | School Boards | |
| County Government | ||
| Special Districts (i.e. Utility districts) |
In the US federal system, there are several powers that are shared between the three levels of government. One of these powers is the ability to collect taxes, which is done by the federal government, state governments, and local governments. In addition to collecting taxes, each level of government is also responsible for making regulations that apply to their own jurisdictions. These regulations can cover a wide range of topics, such as environmental laws, traffic laws, and business regulations. Finally, all three levels of government are responsible for running elections, which are held at various times throughout the year. This ensures that citizens have the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidates at the local, state, and federal levels. Overall, the system of shared powers in the US federal system helps to ensure that each level of government is able to effectively carry out its responsibilities and serve the needs of the American people.
There are some powers that are specific to certain levels of government:
| National | State | Local |
|---|---|---|
| Managing currency and printing money, maintaining the armed forces, and delegating foreign affairs with other countries. | Making state-specific industrial and environmental regulations, establishing laws and courts for civil and criminal justice concerns, and managing education. | Planning infrastructure projects, planning city projects and zoning laws, establishing local laws, and maintaining local emergency services - such as police and fire. |
In many policy areas, governance can overlap. In education, power is spread across national, state, and local levels. For instance, the national government is responsible for setting broad educational goals and standards, while state and local governments are responsible for implementing these standards and providing funding for schools. Additionally, local school districts have a considerable degree of autonomy in making decisions about curriculum, teacher hiring, and student assessment.
This complex system of governance can have both benefits and drawbacks, as it allows for tailored approaches to education at the local level but can also lead to disparities in resources and outcomes between communities.
Local governance is a flexible and adaptable system that can be customized to cater to the unique needs of a specific locality. In this way, it is able to provide more targeted services and better address the concerns of the community. Moreover, local representation ensures that the people are heard and their voices are taken into account in decision-making processes.
In a federal system, there can be an overlap in governing power between the federal and state governments. This can lead to inefficiencies and competition, as both levels of government may try to address the same issues or provide the same services. Despite the potential benefits, the complexity of decision-making may slow down the process and make it more difficult to achieve goals. Additionally, the overlap in governing power may create confusion among citizens who are unsure which level of government is responsible for a particular issue.