Final answer:
Federalism in the United States offers advantages such as encouraging political participation and policy innovation while also posing challenges like cross-state disparities and hindering national responses. Citizens in federal systems have a multifaceted role compared to those in unitary systems.
Explanation:
Advantages of Federalism:
- Encourages political participation: Federalism allows for more opportunities for citizens to engage in government at various levels.
- Policy innovation: States can experiment with different policies, acting as laboratories for new ideas.
- Accommodates diverse viewpoints: Different states can address unique needs based on their populations' viewpoints and preferences.
Disadvantages of Federalism:
- Race to the bottom: States may compete by lowering standards to attract businesses, leading to negative outcomes.
- Cross-state disparities: Inconsistent policies across states can create economic and social inequalities.
- Obstructs national efforts: Federalism can impede cohesive national responses to widespread issues.
Role of citizens: In federal systems, citizens play a role in both state and national government decisions, whereas in unitary systems, power is more centralized in the national government.
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