Central Government

Definition

A central government is the primary governing authority in a political system, responsible for making and enforcing laws, administering public policy, and managing national affairs. It contrasts with local or state governments, which have authority over specific regions. The central government plays a critical role in addressing issues like civil rights, economic stability, and national defense.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The central government under the Constitution was designed to have more authority than the weak central authority established by the Articles of Confederation.
2. Federalist No. 10 argues for a strong central government to control factions and prevent them from undermining public good.
3. Brutus 1 raises concerns about the potential for a central government to become too powerful and infringe on individual liberties.
4. The Bill of Rights was created as a compromise to protect individual freedoms against potential abuses by the central government.
5. The challenges faced under the Articles of Confederation highlighted the need for a stronger central government to maintain order and unity among the states.

Review Questions

• How do Federalist No. 10 and Brutus 1 present differing views on the role of a central government?
  • Federalist No. 10 supports a strong central government, arguing that it can mitigate the dangers of factions by representing diverse interests and maintaining stability. In contrast, Brutus 1 warns that a powerful central government poses a threat to individual liberties and local governance, fearing it could lead to tyranny. These opposing perspectives illustrate the ongoing debate about the balance of power between national and state authorities.
• Evaluate the significance of changes in ideology regarding central government from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution.
  • The transition from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution marked a significant ideological shift towards favoring a stronger central government. The weaknesses of the Articles, such as inability to levy taxes or regulate commerce, revealed the necessity for federal authority to manage economic and social issues effectively. The Constitution addressed these challenges by establishing a robust framework for governance that allowed for greater federal power while still incorporating checks and balances to protect against potential overreach.
• Analyze how the establishment of the Bill of Rights reflects concerns about central government power in American history.
  • The Bill of Rights was ratified in response to fears that a strong central government could infringe on personal freedoms and state sovereignty. It represents a crucial compromise between Federalists, who advocated for a robust national authority, and Anti-Federalists, who feared centralized power. By explicitly enumerating individual rights, such as freedom of speech and religion, the Bill of Rights serves as a safeguard against potential abuses by the central government, reflecting deep-seated concerns about maintaining civil liberties within a framework of federal authority.

Related terms

Federalism:

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units, such as states or provinces.

Separation of Powers:

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

Checks and Balances:

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.