Community Quote by John C. Calhoun
“It is federal, because it is the government of States united in a political union, in contradistinction to a government of individuals, that is, by what is usually called, a social compact. To express it more concisely, it is federal and not national because it is the government of a community of States, and not the government of a single State or Nation.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: "The American Republic" by John C. Calhoun, 1851
Federalism means power is shared among multiple states within a union, rather than concentrated in a single nation‑state.
In simple terms: Power is divided among states, not centralized.
Recognize the importance of state autonomy within a union.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- Constitutional design
- interstate cooperation
- policy making
- national debates
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does state autonomy affect national policy?
- When should federal authority override state decisions?
May overlook the need for national cohesion and common standards.