Question

How has federalism impacted political parties?

Answer 1

There are a number of ways in which federalism affects many aspects of US government and politics. Here are a few important ways:1) Variation in state laws concerning such matters as the age at which one can drive a car and must attend school.2) Variations in penalties of law breaking from state to state.3) Complexity of the American legal system, having both national and state courts.4) Each state having not only its own laws and courts but also its own Constitution.5) Complexity of the tax system: income tax (federal and state); state property taxes; local sales taxes.6) State-based elections, run largely under state law.7) The frequency and number of elections.8) Political parties being decentralised and largely state-based.9) Regional diversity (the South, Midwest, Northeast etc.) and regional considerations when making appointments to, for example, the cabinet, or when 'balancing the ticket' in the presidential election.
 

Answer 2

There are a number of ways in which federalism affects many aspects of US government and politics. Here are a few important ways:
1) Variation in state laws concerning such matters as the age at which one can drive a car and must attend school.
2) Variations in penalties of law breaking from state to state.
3) Complexity of the American legal system, having both national and state courts.
4) Each state having not only its own laws and courts but also its own Constitution.
5) Complexity of the tax system: income tax (federal and state); state property taxes; local sales taxes.
6) State-based elections, run largely under state law.
7) The frequency and number of elections.
8) Political parties being decentralised and largely state-based.
9) Regional diversity (the South, Midwest, Northeast etc.) and regional considerations when making appointments to, for example, the cabinet, or when 'balancing the ticket' in the presidential election.