INTRODUCTION: According to Politics in States and Communities (Dye and MacManus, 2009), government in the constitutional form is primarily about conflict resolution. It exists to find solutions or at least to set parameters for implementing solutions within strict limitations. At the state and local levels (which operate together under state authority), governments have the freedom to address issues and conflicts very directly through the governance policies and restrictions they put in place. For the federal government, however, decisions are tied more directly to what the US Constitution says or what it has been interpreted to mean, and it is very difficult to change. STATE VS FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONS: It should first be noted that state constitutions contain the supreme laws of each state, mostly by detailing the limitations of authority and specific protections for maintaining individual liberty. The US constitution does this too for the federal government and provides the fundamental Bill of Rights that identifies national liberty protections. Many states model their protections on these rights but some add other levels of security. In general, states put a greater emphasis on their legislative branches (where the elected representatives have input) than on the executive branch, though clearly some governors are as visible as is the President of the United States who conducts the daily administrative activities of the federal government. One of the most significant
In the United States, each of the fifty states has its own states constitution, which contains the same basic provisions as the United States Constitution; however, states constitution is generally more detailed than the national constitution.In the United States, each of the fifty states has its own states constitution, which contains the same basic provisions as the United States Constitution; however, states constitution is generally more detailed than the national constitution.In the United States, each of the fifty states has its own states constitution, which contains the same basic provisions as the United States Constitution; however, states constitution is generally more detailed than the national constitution.In the United States,
The government of the United States of America is a federal constitutional republic. In layman 's terms, this means that the country 's national, central government and the smaller, unitary governments of the fifty states are co-equal in their power, and that the citizens of America have a say in public policies by electing representatives who voice their respective opinions. More importantly, both the central government and the state governments are subject to the supreme law of the Constitution. Under this document, the central government is set up into three branches (the legislative, executive, and judicial) that are meant to check each other and balance out power. Their cooperation insures that the national government 's control is appropriate, and does not infringe upon the rights of the average American citizen.
The national government has much power but not as much as has the state government on state residents (Marchant, 2003). The federal government has more control when it comes to national issues and the state when affairs of states. One of the key ways that the federal government uses to influence policy at the state and local level is the distribution of funds (Marchant, 2003). Congress authorizes millions of dollars in grants to states and establishes rules for how they should be invested well decide the level of control they have over these states federal funds.
They share the same principles with each other. State and local governments can’t create or enforce laws that contradict the Constitution. The Constitution requires “equal protection under the law” for the state and local governments. However, the state and local governments have their differences too. The state has more laws and “ground” to cover than the local governments do. “Each state has its own written constitution, and these documents are often far more elaborate than their federal counterpart. The Alabama Constitution, for example, contains 310,296 words — more than 40 times as many as the U.S. Constitution” (The White House). The local government just deals with the county and their jurisdiction in that state. The state government is more superior over the local government. “A local government must be granted power by the state” (The White House). When it comes to the state and local governments, the state has more power than the local government
The United States Constitution begins with the simple phrase “We the People”. Yet, with three simple words, the ideology it stands for has shaped the entire country (O’Connor et al., 2011). The short phrase signifies that the document, and thus, the government, is based upon the people themselves. The Constitution reflects the culture and ideologies of its citizens. Similarly, state constitutions reflect the people, albeit in a more specific locality. The key differences between the United States Constitution and that of local states are due to the distinctions between the scope and characteristics of the people they govern.
In conclusion, state law and federal law are very similar as, they are each meant to dictate a measure of safety for the citizens of the United States of America. According to the United States Constitution federal law, which is dictated, allows the federal government the power to make laws for the people and for the country as a whole. State laws are meant to allow each state to be allowed to govern them and handle the issues within their states. This power was given to them from the Bill of Rights that was also outlined in the Constitution (FindLaw, 2012).
Generally speaking, State constitutions perform different functions (generally limit plenary powers rather than grant enumerated powers), have different origins (from the people
State governments are set up through state constitution, which usually have four sections. These sections are the: preamble which states the purpose and that the authority of the government comes from the people. Another section is the bill or declaration of rights which includes many of the same rights as in the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights. To expand on this the states constitution are different due to the fact that many voter initiatives take the form of a constitutional amendment. States constitution varies in length and sizes. In fact California's constitution is one of
The federal government and state governments have had a long history of powers struggles. The struggle goes back and forth between who has the right to make decisions and if there is a problem who should fix it. Sometimes it is better for the federal government to fix issues and during other situations it is better for the state or local governments to fix other issues. In the PBS special of the United States Constitution, Peter Sagal travels around the states documenting the various roles and impact the government has on the country as a whole and on the individual states.
The United States is currently governed under a federalist constitution and has a deep rooted history of setting up its constitution to accommodate transparency, checks and balance and prevent tyranny. The federalist system of government is divided into the co-dependent central and state government. federalism in the united states give states the power to create their own laws, constitutions, and government structures. As stated in the U.S. Constitution (U.S.), enormous reservoirs of political power are thus derived from the people who reside in the states themselves. (champagne 2017)
Constitution. Both of the constitutions contain the separations of powers, which consist of the legislative, judicial, and executive branch. They also have restrictions on which government actions cannot be done due to being unequal. Both constitutions have the, “Separation of church and state, due process for the criminally accused, and freedom of speech and of the press,”(Newell, Prindle, and Riddlesperger 47-48). The U.S. constitution allows the government officials to have more say in their work than the State constitution. In both the state and national level there are many things that the some branches of the government can do that others cannot, that is why some people say, ”Powers are not truly separated, but overlapping and shared,” (Newell, Prindle, and Riddlesperger
Throughout the history of this nation, the Constitution, from the formation to the execution thereof, has set forth the precedent for the demonstration of excessive federal power that is clearly illustrated by history and modern America. Sufficient documentation to back up this premise includes primary documents such as James Madison’s Federalist No. 10, the Constitution of the United States, and other historical pieces. Ample consideration should be given to the paramount decisions of America’s elected officials in critical moments as well in the very construction of the American system of government that favors federalism.
Most state governments are modeled after the three branch system of government like the federal government, although it is not required by law to follow suit. Each state has their Constitution as well as having powers not giving to the federal government. (whitehouse.gov) States have an
Government is an administration defined by the Constitution, but is also a constantly adjusting foundation by the efforts of its citizens. By Litherland (2014), government is defined as policies set in order to lead a body of people (p. 395). Over the span of time, the idea of government has been stretched, changed, and applied to various communities throughout both the nation and the world. Whether it was back in the eighteenth century, current, or in the very near future—government has existed and will continue to exist for its people and the nation it has built its foundation upon. With the use of multiple authors, those of: “Difference between Direct and Representative Democracy” (n.d.), “Federalism - Dividing Power between States and the
Introducing Chapter 4, the author explains how federalism is a fundamental part of U.S government and how it gives equal power to both national and state governments. “History indicates clearly that the principal factor in the formation of federal systems of government has been a common external threat.” The authors’ quote informs the reader that people have always been weary of a strong, national government and that there is always a constant