Write an essay on the advantageous of numerous states uniting together under one government. Advantages include a coordinated defense against a foreign enemy, combined economic efforts and revenues to facilitate distribution of savings from one project to another. The advantages of forming a federation motivate federalists to form a federal union. Compare and contrast the motivations for forming a union with the realities of implementing and operating a federal system of government.
Alternatively, write to persuade a specific population from instituting federalism. Present the disadvantages of forming a federal union as points for improvement when examining the failures of an existing federal system. Some disadvantages of a federal union may include redistribution of revenues from wealthier states to poorer states, inefficiencies resulting from a large bureaucracy, and a state proclivity toward self-interest over the interests of the union.
"Checks and balances" is a term used to describe the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the U.S. government. Use this topic to examine the effectiveness of the separation of powers to maintain a check on one branch over another. The effectiveness on one branch of government, such as the judicial branch, may be the primary focus of the paper, depending on required length. Consider comparing the effectiveness of U.S. checks and balances with those of individual states or foreign federal systems. Examine the ability of a federal system to control domestic faction, insurrection and "guard the internal tranquility of States" as Alexander Hamilton wrote in The Federalist Papers, No. 9.
The history of federalism is a topic that can trace the influence of the Iroquois League, or Confederacy, the history of Greek and Roman democracies and the Magna Carta on the formation of a federal government in the United States. Examine the influence of the United States' constitution on the development of new governments and constitutions around the world.