Evaluate the disadvantages of federalism

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

An ideal response would be:
The disadvantages of federalism are as follows:
a) Dividing power makes it much more difficult for government to respond quickly to national problems: There was a great demand for stronger and more effective homeland security after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and the national government created a new Department of Homeland Security in response. However, the department quickly discovered that there would be great difficulty coordinating its efforts with 50 state governments and thousands of local governments already providing fire, police, transportation, immigration, and other governmental services.
b) The division of power makes it difficult for voters to hold elected officials accountable.
c) The lack of uniformity can lead to conflict: States often disagree on issues such as health care, school reform, and crime control. In January 2008, for example, California joined 15 other states in suing the national government over a ruling issued by the national Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For decades, the EPA had allowed California to enact tougher air quality restrictions through higher mileage standards than required by the national Clean Air Act. The Bush administration rejected a similar request for permission to raise mileage standards in 2008, only to be reversed by the Obama administration in 2009.
d) Variation in policies creates redundancies, inefficiencies, and inequalities: Labor laws, teacher certification rules, gun ownership laws, and even the licensing requirements for optometrists vary throughout the 50 states, and this is on top of many national regulations. Companies seeking to do business across state lines must learn and abide by many different sets of laws, while individuals in licensed professions must consider whether they face recertification if they choose to relocate to another state. Where national laws do not exist, it is tempting for each state to try to undercut others' regulations to get a competitive advantage in such areas as attracting new industry, regulating environmental concerns, or setting basic eligibility standards for welfare or health benefits.