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In this Madison describes both the deficiencies of a democracy, but also an unchecked national government.
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==Background==
 
==Background==
 
In the United States the states "surrendered many of their powers to the new Federal Government," but retained "'a residuary and inviolable sovereignty.'"  <ref>''Printz v. United States'', 521 U.S.98, 918-19 (quoting ''[[The Federalist]]'', No. 39, at 245, [[James Madison]]).</ref>  This dual sovereignty is "reflected throughout the Constitution's text."  The continued existence of state sovereignty is "implicit . . . in the Constitution's conferral upon Congress of not all governmental powers, but only discrete, enumerated ones."
 
In the United States the states "surrendered many of their powers to the new Federal Government," but retained "'a residuary and inviolable sovereignty.'"  <ref>''Printz v. United States'', 521 U.S.98, 918-19 (quoting ''[[The Federalist]]'', No. 39, at 245, [[James Madison]]).</ref>  This dual sovereignty is "reflected throughout the Constitution's text."  The continued existence of state sovereignty is "implicit . . . in the Constitution's conferral upon Congress of not all governmental powers, but only discrete, enumerated ones."
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During the state ratifying conventions, Madison pointed out in the Virginia debate:<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=2M49AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA162 The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution: As Recommended by the General Convention at Philadelphia in 1787.]</ref>
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<blockquote>In all cases where a majority are united by a common interest or passion, the rights of the minority are in danger. What motives are to restrain them? A prudent regard to the maxim, that honesty is the best policy, is found, by experience, to be as little regarded by bodies of men as by individuals. Respect for character is always diminished in proportion to the number among whom the blame or praise is to be divided. Conscience - the only remaining tie - is known to be inadequate in individuals; in large numbers, little is to be expected from it.</blockquote>
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In this Madison describes both the deficiencies of a democracy, but also an unchecked national government.
    
Federalism is determining which powers and duties belong at the federal level and which belong at the state level.  Under the Articles of Confederation, the states had most powers, and the Constitution was drafted with the purpose of granting the federal government additional powers.  These powers are clearly identified under the [[Enumerated powers]] of Article I.  Under the Constitution, individual issues would be framed in terms of states' powers vs. the proper role of the federal government.  From 1800 until 1860, this debate was mostly viewed from the perspective of slavery vs. abolition of slavery.  Beginning in the 1900s, the federalism debate has been viewed through a progressive vs. conservative perspective.  In the 1930s, progressives re-labeled themselves, so the debate became liberal vs. conservative.
 
Federalism is determining which powers and duties belong at the federal level and which belong at the state level.  Under the Articles of Confederation, the states had most powers, and the Constitution was drafted with the purpose of granting the federal government additional powers.  These powers are clearly identified under the [[Enumerated powers]] of Article I.  Under the Constitution, individual issues would be framed in terms of states' powers vs. the proper role of the federal government.  From 1800 until 1860, this debate was mostly viewed from the perspective of slavery vs. abolition of slavery.  Beginning in the 1900s, the federalism debate has been viewed through a progressive vs. conservative perspective.  In the 1930s, progressives re-labeled themselves, so the debate became liberal vs. conservative.
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