Answer:
There were indeed stark social differences between the North and the South in the years leading up to the American Civil War. ... There were also nearly four million slaves in the South by 1860. These people lived entirely separate from the rest of southern society and had none of the rights of citizens. They differed because for years, textbook authors have contended that economic difference between North and South was the primary cause of the Civil War. The northern economy relied on manufacturing and the agricultural southern economy depended on the production of cotton. ... The clash brought on the war.
When the framers designed the US Constitution they did not give the Federal government much power so power was balanced between States and Central Government. But the Federal government has gained more and more power over time. At the same time, the States were restricted over the years, when the Framers did not imagine doing so.
Both of these situations can be good or bad. For example, making the States respect the Bill of Rights was a good thing when individuals had their basic rights stripped on a State level. So making only the Federal government respect the Bill of Rights did not make much sense.
At the same time, the Federal Government has shown much power that was not designed and showed a few issues over the years, especially with the Executive Branch that had in a few opportunities overstepped its powers.
I think you worded your question incorrectly; the word to the definition an absence of government is: Anarchy
