What is Federalism - Assignment Example

Political science: Federalism Federalism has been changing and has subsequently evolved over the path of American history. At various points in time, the boundaries and balance between the state and national government have changed considerably. In the 20th century, the responsibility of the national government has expanded spectacularly, and this has continued even in the 21st century. The first example of federalism is dual federalism (1789-1945).Thus Dual federalism depicts the kind of federalism representing the first one hundred and fifty years of the US, approximately through World War 2.

Thus the constitution provided for 2 kinds of governments in the US, state and national. The second type of federalism cooperative federalism (1945-1969).This federalism saw the national government become integrated with the local and state governments, making it hard to differentiate where one type of governance starts and the other one stops. The third example of federalism is known as New Federalism (1969-present) and since 1970s, political scholars and leaders of the New Federalism have made arguments regarding the national government becoming very influential and that control should be returned to the states(Ilka,2005).

The three factors that have allowed the concept of federalism to shape American political behavior include; political behavior which is an area of political action. This takes place outside the legal and formal organizations of government. Thus political behavior in this scenario is the behavior of groups and persons outside of the government who are struggling to take possession or influence the government. Following political behavior is political activity which is commonplace to all politics.

Specific principles of political science may apply to both governmental organizations and political behavior. Finally the third factor that has allowed federalism concept to shape American political behavior is political culture, which is basically the pattern of orientation to political activity and finally sectionalism which is the ties that link together classes of contiguous states (Michael, 2006).ReferencesIlka, K. (2005). Federalism and Foreign Policy:Do the States have Rights? New York.

Michael, B. (2006). Comparative Federalism:Theory and Practice. New York: Routledge.