Discussion Board 7.1
- Describe the primary differences in the role of citizens in government, among the federal, confederation, and unitary systems.
The primary differences in the role of citizens in government among federal, confederation, and unitary systems are:
- In a federal system, citizens participate in both national and subnational governments, with clear responsibilities at each level. For example, in the U.S., citizens elect representatives to Congress and the president at the national level, while also electing state legislators and governors in the state level. This participation in both national and state elections gives citizens influence over both local and national governments. Federal systems divide power between levels.
- In a confederation, citizens engage with their state governments, which has more power than the central government which is weak and relies on the consent of the subnational governments. Therefore, Citizens’ influence on national decisions is limited, because the central authority is acting according to the state’s decisions. Confederations maximize regional power
- In a unitary system, citizens mainly interact with the national government, where most authority is held. Local governments, if there are any at all, are very dependent on the central authority. Additionally, Citizens may have some roles at the local state level, but the more significant decisions are only made by the central national government. Unitary systems centralize authority in the national government.
2. Briefly explain how you understand the system of division of power.
- The system of division of power in the U.S. is the system the divides the authority between 4 branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. This system aims to prevent any one of the branches from being too powerful by setting checks and balances, where each branch monitors and limits the actions of the other branches. For example, the president (executive branch) can veto laws passed by Congress (legislative branch), but Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority. additionally, the judicial branch can review laws or executive actions.
3. How does the federal government shape the actions of state and local governments? Write your answer based on doing a bit of research on how the federal government has influenced the actions of NY state and local governments, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government significantly influenced the actions of New York state by funding, guidelines, and emergency measures.
- The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided federal funds to help states like New York manage the economic crisis that came with the COVID-19 pandemic. New York received aid worth billions of dollars to assist hospitals, providing unemployment benefits, and help small businesses. This financial support allowed NY state to set health measures, provide healthcare services, and stabilize its economy. (https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus , https://www.nysed.gov/federal-education-covid-response-funding/cares-act-allocations-and-application-information ).
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued health guidelines on mask-wearing, social distancing, and vaccination. New York State could decide how to apply these guidelines, federal recommendations shaped the state’s pandemic policies. Governor Andrew Cuomo adopted many federal health directives and modified them according to NY state needs. (https://www.cdc.gov/covid/index.html, https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-main.page )
- President Biden’s vaccine requirement for federal employees, influenced New York’s own vaccination campaigns. For example, New York enforced vaccination or testing mandates for state employees and healthcare workers. (https://www.whitehouse.gov/covidplan/ , https://hca-nys.org/vaccine-requirements-for-nyc-contracted-staff-including-home-care-and-other-covid-19-briefs/#:~:text=State%20Worker%20Vaccination%20Requirement&text=Cuomo%20announced%20that%20New%20York,COVID%2D19%20by%20Labor%20Day. )
