The Founders of the United States gave much consideration to the division of
responsibility between federal and state
governments. They strove to strike a balance
between an overbearing
central government (such as the British government that had
ruled them before
the Revolution) and
an overreliance on local governments (such as the
structure
of US government under the Articles of Confederation). Many citizens today
continue to debate the correct balance between federal and state government.
What is your position? Name some
areas of conflict where you think the
powers are
improperly balanced. Name some areas where you think the balance works well.