Intergovernmental
The United Stated of America is primarily founded on a federal system of government. However, the system does not flow downwards hierarchically in the same mannerism of a unitary system of government. The federal system is meant to condone conflicts within the work place as administrators work within areas where various people share authority.
There are various levels of government in the United States. They are local, state and national government. Local governments are made up of special districts, school districts, townships, municipalities and counties. Special districts have the responsibility of managing special functions and special projects. These include bridge construction and supply of sewerage and water. The initial creation was the local government which is meant to provide services essential services at local levels.
The state governments oversee the roles of the local governments and ensure development of the states. They also levy taxes for generation of revenue and formulate bi-laws that must comply with the federal constitution. The federal government is responsible for the overall administration of the country and relations with the other countries.
The balance of power between governments presently lies with the constitution of the United States of America. In accordance with the 10th Amendment, it asserts that power is not delegated to the national government or the state governments. The constitution holds that the power is reserved exclusively for the people of the United States. The power belongs to the state and its people respectively. The founders of the state however proposed that the people, the state and the national or state governments are different structures at varying levels, which tend to overlap one another.
For instance, the national government cannot sit back and let the people wield the power on their own. It has to intervene through just and fair means that do not suggest that the government (state or national) is imposing orders on its people.
The balance of power has changed over time as perceived in the developments that took place during the 1920s. The constitution grants power to the national government to regulate and concentrate on large corporations. States governments have deviated from their core objective of using power to focus on the needs of the people. Programs and initiatives meant for national good have been given priority instead of concentrating on the dire needs of the people. Many responsibilities owed by the government to the people have been diffused.
The mechanism or mode of democracy does not guarantee that what is done by the governments is a reflection of the peoples’ will or at least a representation of what their elected government representatives suggest. The balance of power no has shifted in favour of the government and it no longer lies with the wishes of the people. The shift in the balance of power has come amid competition among various states. As a result, the federal has exposed laxity in compliance with some of the requirements that states need to comply with especially in receiving grants.
The shift in the balance of power necessitated some heads of states like Nixon, Reagan and Cater to attempt some revolutions that aimed at restoring power back to the people from the governments. They came up with amendments to the way things were done. These amendments provided the foundation on which the strength of the American constitution was built.
