Why Federalism? A Practical Solution-to the dispute between advocates of a strong central government and states rights advocates Geography and population make it impractical to locate all political authority in one place Brings government closer to the people State governments train future national leaders State governments can be testing grounds for policy initiatives Federalism allows for many political subculturesWhy Federalism? • A Practical Solution – to the dispute between advocates of a strong central government and states’ rights advocates • Geography and population make it impractical to locate all political authority in one place • Brings government closer to the people • State governments train future national leaders • State governments can be testing grounds for policy initiatives • Federalism allows for many political subcultures