Centralized and Decentralized Government

Problems of Decentralization under the Article of Confederation The Constitution was an attempt to address the problems of decentralization that were experienced under the Article of Confederation. A decentralized government means that the states holds the power of governing the people as opposed to a centralized government, where the national government will rule all the states. The tension between decentralized and centralized power still exists. Some problems of decentralized power that existed under the Article of Confederation were tax, leadership, and law. Being a decentralized power did not give the national government direct authority over citizens, instead they had to work through the states. Since congress did not have the power to tax, congress had to request the states for money to carry through the affairs of the nation and pay for war (Janda 62). “Articles made no provisions for an independent leadership position to direct the government” (62). This left the nation without a leader. Laws could not be passed without the full agreement of congress and the approval of all state legislators. If one of the Thirteen states had a different opinion about the approval, or even a doubt, the law would not be passed. The states could veto any changes to the Articles (63). The constitution provided a solution to address the problems in the Article of Confederation. The third clause of section eight in the Constitution gives Congress power to regulate interstate commerce (70). The second Article in the Constitution gives executive power to the president as the leader of the nation. As the leader, the president does not have full power,

instead the power is divided into three parts to avoid Monarchy (72). The power to change laws and make amendment was given to the three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Twothird of the vote of members present in both houses of congress and three-fourth of state legislatures (81). Disability access raises tension between decentralized and centralized power. As required by the disability Act of 1990, state buildings and private building have to built to accommodate people with disabilities. It costs the state money to reconstruct building, streets, offices etc. If the Central government has a national policy, the states have to meet the law requirement or the states may have to face federal funds. As required by law, “An employer is required to make a reasonable accommodation to the known disability of a qualified applicant...” (EEOC Disability Act). If there is a deaf applicant, a sign language interpreter may need to be present during the interview, which the state must provide. The Articles of Confederation was a decentralized power with many flaws. The constitution was a way to amend the flaws within the Articles. The disability act is one of the tensions still exist between the decentralized and centralized power.

Work Cited Janda, Kenneth, Jeffrey M. Berry, and Jerry Goldman. The Challenge of Democracy. 2008 ed. N.p.: Suzanna Jeans, 2008. Print. "Facts About the Americans with Disabilities Act." Facts About the Americans with Disabilities Act. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2012. .

Cited: Janda, Kenneth, Jeffrey M. Berry, and Jerry Goldman. The Challenge of Democracy. 2008 ed. N.p.: Suzanna Jeans, 2008. Print. "Facts About the Americans with Disabilities Act." Facts About the Americans with Disabilities Act. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2012. .