Federalism and the federal system define the basic structure of American government. There were many disagreements at the Constitutional Convention. Many delegates feared a national government that was too strong and many delegates feared that states' rights would merely continue the weak form of government under the Articles. The Constitution created a federal system of government (federalism) as a compromise. Under federalism, power is shared and divided between national and state governments. Each has specific powers unto themselves while they also share certain powers. Both levels have their own agencies and officials and directly affect the people. The Founding Fathers really had no other choice except federalism. The weak union created under the Articles would not work yet people did not want to give all the power to a national government. Federalism was the middle ground--compromise--a way to distribute authority between the states and the national government.
A written plan of government is called a constitution.
government of constitution
Democratic Republic
A constitution is a set of written rules that sets down a plan on how to operate a government.
constitution
Constitution
constitution
The Constitution
democratic-republic
It just is a government that has a constitution, is republic, and democratic at the same time.
The Constitution
The first formal plan of government in the US was known as the Articles of Confederation. However, this was replaced by the constitution which governs the government.