How does federalism prevent abuse of power?

Answer 1

Federalism protects from the abuse of Government and State officials by assigning powers specifically to each branch of Government. Powers that are kept by the Central Government are called "delegated powers". Powers kept by the states are called "reserved powers" , and powers shared by both governments are called "concurrent powers".

Answer 2

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 3

Because it divides the power between the central and regional governments and controls everything , kind of like separation of powers, checks and balances.

Federalism divides all governmental power between the national, state and local governments to prevent power from being concentrated into too few hands. The separation of powers applies specifically to the national/federal government to divide its powers and prevent tyranny. The system of checks and balances guarantees the separation of powers at the national/federal level.

Answer 4

I am not an attorney nor a history buff, but I'll give this one a shot.

Federalism, as I understand it, is when more than one otherwise sovereign states establish a central government over themselves. It prevents the abuse of power because, when properly administered, the central government obtains its power from the individual states, and the states can reduce, remove, or modify the power the central government has. This is not to say that the central government is subordinate to the individual states. That would be a confederacy. In federalism, the central government has sovereign power within the limits given it by its member states.

I'll try not to be too political here but I want to make further explanation.

In the United States our political discussion is often concerning whether or not it is the government's job to do this or that. The answers to those questions is grounded in our understanding, or lack thereof, of how our government is defined regarding federalism. The so-called liberals, usually Democrats, believe the government should exercise more authority than it has in the past. The so-called conservatives, usually Republicans, believe the government exercises too much control already.

Answer 5

If every member of a federation has equal status with every other member, that makes it difficult for one member to assert itself above the others as a tyrant.