The government system in the United States is one great example of federal government. The federal system can be defined as the structure of government in which the powers are divided between two levels of government, usually central government and regional governments. Each level has control over different regions, and different sets of matters. In the United States, the national government has control over some powers, states governments have control over other specific powers, and some powers are held concurrently.
Control over police power is a current issue that can be considered as an example of federalism. According to the Tenth Amendment, which states that ” powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to …show more content…
The same sex marriage is one example of the current conflict between national and sates governments. Same-sex couples are still struggling for their rights. This conflict resulted in what is being contested in the courts - is there a constitutional right to same-sex marriage? ( “Gay Marriage conflicting laws” 1).
The control over the medical usage of marijuana is another example of the conflict between the two levels of governments. Although some states allowed the usage of marijuana for medical purposes, they faced some opposition by the national government (Grabarsky 1). The Supreme Court ruled that people who use marijuana could be charged by the national government (Harrison, Harris, Deardorff, and Halter 95).
The reason why the current described issue is an example of federalism is that it satisfies the main feature of the federal system. It shows the division of the powers between the national government and states governments and the confliction that this complex system may cause between the two levels of