You learned a bit about the idea of “devolution,” which aims to distribute some of the powers and responsibilities of the national government back to the states. Ronald Reagan was a proponent of devolution, which he called “new federalism.” He argued that Americans were resentful of the idea that “a bureaucratic elite in Washington knows what is best for people everywhere and that you cannot trust local governments. Local government is the government closest to the people; it is most responsive to the individual person; it is a people’s government in a far more intimate way than the government in Washington can ever be.”
In your initial post, please address the following (be sure to use examples from the documentaries and/or the readings whenever possible):
First, suppose that you agree with Reagan. Explain the logic for why a local-level or state-level government would be more responsive to people than a national-level government.
Second, take the opposite perspective and suppose that you disagree with Reagan. Explain what problems may come from devolving too much power to a local-level or state-level government.