Powers Among The National And Local Governments example essay topic

Passing the test of time The American Constitution was drafted over two hundred years ago, and still sets the guidelines for our lives today. The thought of a strong central government was heavily criticized in the beginning, and by some, still is. However it was a necessary move towards a stronger structured government. The fear placed in the people by Englands' ruling of the colonies caused many to cry out against the constitution.

They had drafted their own guidelines, the articles of confederation. However these articles lead to more problems and less structure. The people were finally free, however the states could not work together as a nation. With each state recognizing different rules and documents, it was hard to keep the country on the same page.

Replacing the articles of confederation, the constitution granted powers to several groups of elected officials. It also left some powers up to each individual state. This was the idea of federalism, separating powers among the national and local governments. It held that the states still had individual rights and powers to govern the people as necessary, keeping the central government from harnessing complete power.

This document has passed the test of time, perhaps one of the greatest tests of all. When studying the constant turnover of governments in other countries, one can't help but wonder why. What has held the United States together so well for so long? One key factor is the Constitutions flexibility.

With the option to change a document once its rules seem unfair, it is hard to argue that it is too controlling. Since the constitution was first written, twenty-seven amendments have been made. The first ten of these were added immediately following the drafting. These ten amendments guaranteed the people certain personal rights and freedoms. Allowing these released much of the tension the anti-federalists held. Over the next 150 years, laws were changed and changed again to meet the needs of its people.

With so much willingness to change, how can one argue that the government has too much power or that their word is set in stone? An even greater reason for the constitution's life span is that it was built on compromise. From the beginning, the constitution has been bent to please both sides to at least some degree. While working to please the states, the central government still holds greater power to do what is in the best interest of the people, all of the people. The most important factor keeping the constitution together is simply that it works. It holds the country together as a nation, and it always has.

There are no extensive causes to rebel against the government and begin again. Although there will always be people who disagree with the way the government is run, in comparison, our government offers the most freedom, and has withstood hundreds of years to prove it.