Why Federalism Matters

Published July 1, 2025

America’s founders rejected both monarchy and loose confederation of states to forge a novel system — one that distributes power across state and federal levels. This design wasn’t a compromise; it was a constitutional innovation that prevents tyranny, fosters local experimentation, and strengthens citizen engagement. In an era of political polarization and sweeping federal mandates, federalism remains a vital mechanism for preserving liberty and accommodating the pluralism of American life. Its layered sovereignty protects freedom not by homogenizing governance, but by enabling choice, responsiveness, and bottom-up influence across a continent-sized American democracy.

Check out more from Michael McConnell:

• Watch "Government Overreach Exposed: From Student Loans to Obamacare", an interview with Michael McConnell here.
• Watch "The Courts vs. the Presidency: America’s Separation of Powers Crisis", an interview with Michael McConnell here.
• Watch "Who Controls the Purse? Presidential Power and the Fight Over Spending" with Michael McConnell here.

Learn more about Michael McConnell here.

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The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Hoover Institution or Stanford University.

© 2025 by the Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University.