What are the reasons for having the federal government?

Answer 1

Federalism and the federal system define the basic structure of American government. There were many disagreements at the Constitutional Convention. Many delegates feared a national government that was too strong and many delegates feared that states' rights would merely continue the weak form of government under the Articles. The Constitution created a federal system of government (federalism) as a compromise. Under federalism, power is shared and divided between national and state governments. Each has specific powers unto themselves while they also share certain powers. Both levels have their own agencies and officials and directly affect the people. The Founding Fathers really had no other choice except federalism. The weak union created under the Articles would not work yet people did not want to give all the power to a national government. Federalism was the middle ground--compromise--a way to distribute authority between the states and the national government.

Answer 2

The concept of a Ferderal Government (in contrast to State or Local) allows for the regulation of nation-wide standards and consistency in the rule of law while allowing controlled, limited scoped variations in state and local government. A great example of varied standards in state and local government would be building codes and what are commonly called Blue Laws (moral laws, dry (no alcohol) counties, liquor stores closed on Sundays, drinking age, age of consent, etc.)

In the application of military powers a federal government and armed forces in the service of the central government (rather then say a local militia) allows a greater cross-section of the nation's population to serve in the military. This tends to afford a greater sense of unity when working aboard in both wartime and peace time activities (Where as state militas would be more apt to see one another as Allies rather then a whole on the battle field). This allows a greater measure of security as a rival nation has a lower chance of explioting a specific local to impact the morale and loyalty of a solider.

With a Federal Government empowered to collect and levy taxes a larger pool of money can be brought to bear to address an issue (case in point: the US Federal Hiway system would have been impractical if funded on a state by state basis).

With a federal judiciary inter-state disputes can be resolved with a consistent set of laws.

While a simplistic answer it is one of the most complex political issues a nation faces. In fact the United States of America fought a civil war based on the nature of a central federal government and what powers that central federal government should have over state and local government (For instance, did the Federal Government have the right to regulate the sale\purchase of slaves and in which states the practice of slavery was allowed; or was that the sole discretion of the State government.)

Further reading a suggestion would be the Federalist Papers and a variety of communications among the USA founding fathers during the Consistutional Convention when these issues were discussed during the drafting of the US Consitution. While those examples will largely reflect the development of a Republic the underlying concepts of a Federal structure to government. Additional reading of congressional records around the time of the American Civil War would also provide insight into the debate of the Federal Government and it's pros and cons.

Supplimental reading should include the emergence of the Japanese Shogunate and China's dynastic periods also show many of the complexities of how the amount of power a central government maintains (regardless of monarchy or republic) reflects in the population.

Answer 3

We have this because the constitution set up this form of government. The federal government takes care of things nationwide while state governments handle laws and decisions that are needed on the state level. Below the state is local government that handles laws and decisions on the local level.

Answer 4

Having a federal government provides a country with unity and a common identity. Though states have certain powers, the central government carries out national policy.