Risks and rewards of federalism


It's not all easy going, but the payoff can be huge
Froma Harrop writes on federalism.

Federalism is not for sissies. The belief that states should have more power means accepting that you will win some and lose some. When states do their own thing, the policies that emerge may reflect a local culture that is not yours.

Conservatives often claim ownership of the federalist idea that state governments are closer to the people than far-off Washington -- and therefore better able to serve the public. In practice, federalism can serve all viewpoints.

The Supreme Court ruling in favor of Oregon's doctor-assisted suicide law reminded liberals that when conservatives are running the federal show, states' rights can work for them, also. The problem for liberals isn't that federalism is a conservative principle, but that many conservatives aren't principled.

Great point. I think I would add that many progressives and liberals aren't principled either. And libertarians haven't exactly cornered the market on virtue.

The only things that make federalism more desirable over a strong central government are the local accountability and the competition between regions. Both are needed for federalism to work well. At the same time, we need to recognize that federalism is at best a compromise and flawed. There will be times when it needs to be reigned in.

The real question is who or what is the best thing to reign in government on any level?

And that requires individual sovereignty,

"We hold these rights to be self-evident..."

"We the People of the United States..."

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

Individual rights should be supreme, save when they interfere with the rights of another. A federalist government is less likely to declare constant emergencies to justify their power grabs. They have too much competition.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Fri - January 20, 2006 at 04:31 AM  Tag


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