Chapter 3

1. Is a strong national government necessary or should the state governments have an equal share of power?  Why?

I think a strong national government is necessary to keep the country unified. If all the state governments had an equal share of power with a weak or nonexistent national government, I think the nation as a whole would be much weaker. Each individual state would be more likely to simply look out for its own interests and there would be more conflicts between them. A strong national government could act as a mediator and final decision maker. The state governments, however, do need to be strong enough to challenge the national government in order for it not to assume full and absolute control.

2. National power increased during the Great Depression but then power began to shift back to the states (somewhat) during the Reagan administration?  Why did that happen and is that shift appropriate?

The shift from national power to state power happened because Reagan, as a Republican, believed that power should reside more with the states than the national government. During the Great Depression, the people needed a strong national government because no one knew what to do. During Reagan's administration there was more stability and the strength of the national government was no longer needed. The states would be more effective in handling their finances according to their needs than the national government. I think it was a good move because it took a bit of burden off the national government, and gave the states more independence.

3. Education stirs much discussion relating to the issue of federalism.  Should the national government regulate education or is it a matter best left to state and local governments?  Why?

I think education is better left to state and local governments because state and local governments are better connected to the needs of its citizens. The national government should set some kind of standard, of course, but it should be up to the state and local governments to decide how to reach that standard. If the national government was to regulate education, I feel like it would struggle more than if the power was with the state. There is no way the national government could manage all of the different needs of fifty different states on its own. And with so many states to manage, it would take longer for each state to get the help it needs. Education is better left to the states themselves.