Which level of the U.S. government should be the most powerful: national or state?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
According to the data from the table above, as of 2016 what portion of Americans favored the concentration of power in state government instead of federal government?
In what year of the survey above was the concentration of power at the federal level most popular?
Describe one trend (change over time) in the data above.
What is the best explanation for the trend you identified in the data?
What is one political consequence of the current political power preference illustrated in the table above.
America has a federal system of government where power is divided between the national (federal) government and state and local governments. Why were many colonial Americans fearful of too much power being concentrated instead of divided?
Think of a current issue in America that involves federal versus state power (abortion rights, or marijuana legalization, for example). Make a claim explaining whether the concentration of power should be in state government or federal government.
When the Framers wrote The United States Constitution (signed in convention September 17, 1787. Ratified June 21, 1788), they were very concerned about the balance of power between state and federal government. There were two main factions or groups at the National Constitutional Convention. The Federalists supported the ratification of the Constitution which created a strong national government. The Anti-Federalists were opposed to the ratification of the Constitution because they were wary of a tyrannical central government which they worried would infringe on individual liberties. They preferred for power to be concentrated at the state level. Imagine the question about state versus federal power was asked to a leading Anti-Federalist in 1787. Based on your knowledge of American political history, explain an Anti-Federalist’s answer to this question.
Explain how The U.S. Constitution’s 10th Amendment (ratified 1791) impacts the balance of power between state and federal governments.
Based on the data from the table below, how does political party affiliation impact feelings about the balance of power between state and federal government?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Think of a current issue in America that involves federal versus state power. Contact one of your U.S. legislators (one of the two senators who represent your state, or the one House member that represents your congressional district) and let them know what you think the federal government should do about it. Then contact one of your state representatives and let them know what you think the state should do about it.
Get Creative
If the battle between state and federal government were great fight in a movie, what would it be?
Learning Extension*
Listen to this We The People Podcast episode about Federalists v. Anti-Federalists and see if you can determine which one is the winner!
