Throughout our educational years, we’ve all heard about Federalism in our nation’s founding. However, most Americans wouldn’t be able to define, let alone defend, the importance of Federalism. In this article, I will argue that Federalism is the heart of our nation and one of its most essential structural safeguards, and will be most conducive to producing human flourishing. Additionally, as Christians, the use of Federalism will be a chief aid in restoring our democratic republic under the transcendent realities of truth, goodness, and beauty.
What Federalism Is (And Is Not)
Federalism is the division of governmental authority with shared sovereignty (authority). In the United States, that has historically taken the form of the separation of powers, along with a clear distinction between the National government and State governments. Thus, in practice, no singular branch of government, nor single government, should be entrusted with sole authority over citizens. For example, the National government handles defense, foreign affairs, and interstate commerce, while the State governments handle education, public safety, social matters, etc. Federalism allows the people in their own State to govern for the most part, to order much of their common life according to local needs, values, and convictions.
Federalism is not anti-democratic. In the United States, several people have complaints about aspects of Federalism (i.e., abortion, electoral college, education, etc.). If the “majority” of people in a Nation desire to promote abortion, vote on a candidate, and determine the way children are educated, then why should “fly-over” States and the South stand in the way? Because pure democracy, as James Madision warned, is “spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.” (The Federalist Papers no. 10), By a mere simple majority of a nation, the majority by its common interests will dismantle the rights of the minority. Therefore, Federalism is democratic and will protect the rights of the citizenry by guarding against mob rule.
Federalism and the American Founding
Our founding fathers understood the importance of Federalism for a thriving Nation. These men lived under the tyranny of King George III, and desired the new nation to be protected from its destruction. The founders understood that through a constitutional republic, the rights of every man would be protected from tyranny. James Madison articulates this when he writes, “The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, selfappointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” (The Federalist Papers no. 47). Here, Madison makes clear that it wasn’t merely a democratic form of government that the founders desired but a government with checks and balances. Federalism was not an afterthought, but a central tenet of the new Constitution. By the division of powers in the National government, and between State and National governments, the Constitution restrained the government from taking the people’s liberties by a sole central power.
Federalism and Human Flourishing
Okay, so it’s clear that our founding fathers promoted Federalism. Why does that matter? Federalism matters because it promulgates human flourishing. In a democratic nation that has the separation of powers, and reserves meaningful authority to the States and local municipalities,the nation is protected by the tyranny of the majority. If a policy was supported merely by a majority of a nation’s people, then under a central National government the policy would be imposed upon the entire Nation. All that would be needed for destructive policies to be passed would be a simple majority. Where there is no Federalism, there is no guarantee and protection of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
In the political culture of today, Pew Research says that 63% of Americans want abortion to be legal in almost all/most cases, and without Federalism, that would almost ensure the complete allowance of the murdering of the unborn in the United States. Such centralization would likely entail federal funding of abortion through national taxation, further compounding the injustice. However, in a federalist system of governance, citizens are further protected of their culture and values within their own State. That’s why James Madison writes, “the first and most natural attachment of the people will be to the governments of their respective States.” (The Federalist Papers no. 46). If California wants to do a test run of communism, they can go ahead and do so in their State but what they can’t do in our system of government is force Texas and Florida to follow suit. Federalism protects States from the laws and policies of another.
Furthermore, Federalism allows individuals and groups to actually cultivate change in their society. If change depends upon convincing the whole Nation, then only through propaganda and force could any meaningful change occur. However, in our governmental system, every citizen has the ability to truly help change their society for the better through their proximity and participation in their community.
This is one of the major goals of Truth in the Public Square. Every Christian in the United States has a voice in the public square, but the question remains about the best way for Christians to speak in the public square. Christians will produce change in their society and communities by getting involved in politics at the local level. Engage in the public square by raising your voice of concerns in your local city, county, and state. By doing so, we will, as the body of Christ in the United States, help change the direction of our Nation for the glory of God and the common good.
A Christian Case for Federalism
Is Federalism a Christian concept? Well, yes and no. Federalism isn’t commanded nor articulated in Scripture, let alone a Christian doctrine. However, Federalism recognizes the human condition. As James Madison wrote, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” (The Federalist Papers no. 51). Government is necessary because of the depravity of man. How should the government be constructed? In the way to subvert evil through justice and allow humanity to flourish. However, even governmental leaders–still being human and under the human condition–need to be restrained. Federalism is the best form of government that will restrain the government from subverting personal liberties while maintaining justice and promoting prosperity in the culture and society.
Furthermore, Federalism follows the biblical principle of plurality of authority. Since we have the separation of powers and the distinction between the National and State governments, sole authority doesn’t rest upon a single institution or individual. In the canon of Scripture, we see multiple examples of plurality of authority. The Lord set up seventy men over the people of Israel (Numbers 11:16–17), the plurality of elders in the New Testament (Acts 14:13, 20:17–38; 1 Peter 5:1–2), and the wisdom given from Solomon in Proverbs 11:14, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Due to the fallenness of man, the protection of a plurality defends against tyrants–whether in the church or government. It is Federalism that provides a just authority that will maintain a free society so that people can worship with freedom of conscience and the rest of their personal liberties.
The Cost of Abandoning Federalism
The cost of forsaking Federalism is astronomical. First, it will leave the door open for tyrannical governments–whether left-wing or right-wing. This is where all Americans should be united on the importance of Federalism. If we dismember our Constitution (more than we already have in our governmental processes; i.e., activist justices, unwarranted executive orders, etc.), we become susceptible to authoritarian regimes. As we look throughout history from Genghis Khan and Louis XIV to Hitler and Mussolini, authoritative regimes have rested in the sole authority of an individual, unchecked by meaningful institutional limits and unrestrained by shared or accountable powers. Therefore, despite political persuasions, all should appreciate the federalist system we have been given in the United States. If you’re politically persuaded to the left, you can trust that Federalism will be most conducive in protecting your civil liberties from a sole right-wing authority. Likewise, if you’re politically persuaded to the right, you can trust that Federalism will protect your most basic rights from a sole left-wing authority.
Second, abandoning Federalism will produce cultural and political chaos. In almost every community–especially metropolitan areas–people have deep political divides, and the elimination of Federalism will only cause them to deepen. The federal system allows key cultural and political issues to be discussed among communities. No Federalism would only culminate in even more cultural and political chaos. As it stands now, following the Dobbs decision in 2022, the issue of abortion is now left to the States. Obviously, as convictional conservative Christians, we desire a nationwide ban on these atrocities. However, the Constitution was created in a distinct way in order to keep order over these policy disputes. If we had an outright national ban on abortions today, we would see the most decisive time in our nation’s history since 1861. Federalism will allow us who are part of pro-life cause to win our neighbors and communities to despise abortion. And Lord willing, we will be able to win the good fight for the unborn, and have a united nation that will stand together against the atrocities of abortion.
Third, forsaking Federalism will cause people to abandon their communities. The United States is one of the world’s largest countries in land mass and population. The more central government we have, the more disconnected our leaders are from the people they represent. We’ve even seen this since the passage of the 17th Amendment (direct election of US Senators). Haven’t you noticed that several Senators use their campaigns and legislation to seemingly promote a run for President of the United States? They seem less concerned with representing their people to focus on their national “brand.” How much worse would this be, if our States had even less power than they have today? Every election would be the promotion of the National good, rather than the good of the people they represent. Now, of course, our desire is for the flourishing of our whole Nation. However, our governmental system has been designed for the people to be most represented in Congress while protecting the minorities’ civil rights. Forsaking Federalism will only lead to a further divide between congressmen from their people and a greater division among the Nation.
Recovering Federalism and Restoring Our Republic
Our nation still hasn’t lost its doctrine of Federalism, but more than ever, we need to stand against its opponents. We must make a winsome case for Federalism for a flourishing nation, and it begins with all of us interacting in the public square for the glory of God and the common good. Perhaps for you, that may include running for city council or a state legislator and representing your constituents well. However, for most of you, it will probably contain staying up to date on issues in your local city or state. Find your state representative and make it clear what your desires are for them as your representative.
There are potential significant overreaches by the National government that we should attempt to dismiss. Chiefly, categorical grants may allow the National government to overreach its authority over States by imposing National policies upon them. Categorical grants are the most restrictive federal grants that when received are given strict parameters that must be followed. It’s not that these grants aren’t ever useful. For example, The Morrill Act of 1862 allowed the dozens of “land-grant” schools to become more established with the requirement of providing military instruction on campus. However, categorical grants may be abused such as the “Great Society” requirements from President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration. From the economic problems; rising inflation, rising debt, healthcare costs and along with structural implementation problems; welfare dependency, urban decay, and the failure to address the root causes of poverty, the overreach by the Johnson administration restricted the effectiveness of the states themselves. There were issues in some State administrations and in the culture of some states, but these restrictions only deepened the problems and now we are paying for it. We must stand up against the National government’s overreach and have the States and local communities be the ones who meet the needs of our neighbors, out of love for God and love of neighbor. As President Ronald Reagan once famously said, “the nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help.”
The National government doesn’t have the responsibility or the capacity to meet the needs of every citizen. But Christians and their churches, rooted in their local communities, can put a dent in the needs of their neighbors. This will be best achieved in a federalist system of government, as intended by our Founding Fathers. Federalism is not merely a political arrangement; it is a moral recognition that no single human authority is wise enough, just enough, or virtuous enough to rule without limits.
