2006-09-04 11:44:38 · 15 answers · asked by preciousnewton816 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
To make trade agreements with other countries and to settle disputes between the states.
2006-09-04 11:47:46 · answer #1 · answered by Egroeg_Rorepme 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because a centralized government provides for uniformity of laws and processes across the several states.
The alternative is a system like the European Union, where each country (state) is independent, and has their own laws, and the central government just regulates currency and sets basic policy standards which each country-state then enacts individually as laws. That is essentially what the Confederacy wanted to happen.
The bottom line is that we don't need a federal govt in its current form (in the US), but some centralized body coordinating defense and regulating interactions between the individual states is useful.
2006-09-04 18:47:21 · answer #2 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
United we stand. Divided we fall. A good example to look at is South America. There are several small independent governments rather than one united group of governments. If North America were to be a group of small countries we wouldn't have the ability to take advantage of the resources available and we might even fight over them. We might fight Texas for oil and Oregon for lumber. Venezuela has the largest share of oil in South America but other countries in the region are not allowed to share in the wealth that resource provides. Being united under a single federal government gives us the opportunity to benefit from the diversity of resources available. Uniformity of laws is necessary for this to be a reality.
2006-09-04 19:02:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer always breaks down to one answer, no matter where a person is - for security and national defense. Without an organization to secure the peace, it would be anarchy and you probably wouldn't even be here to pose the question.
And we need a national government, rather than just 50 states' governments, otherwise, we'd have 50 separate countries vying with each other for supremacy.
2006-09-04 18:49:47 · answer #4 · answered by Shelley 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because otherwise we'd be 50 small independent states and we'd fight amongst ourselves. For the best reasoning behind the Federal Government, check out the Federalist Papers.
2006-09-04 18:47:15 · answer #5 · answered by Charles D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If we didn't have one, the US wouldn't be a country - it would just be 50 separate countries. Though, there can be debate over how much power the federal government has.
2006-09-04 18:49:17 · answer #6 · answered by Will 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Too big of a question to answer right here. I would recommend that you read both John Locke and Thomas Hobbes' political writings. They go into great detail about why people give up certain personal freedoms to protect themselves and safeguard their property. Basically, people need an impartial judge (government) to dole out punishment and keep order.
2006-09-04 18:51:23 · answer #7 · answered by Linda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To coordinate activities across state lines, to referee the activities within the various states, to provide for the common welfare, and ensure common defense and domestic prosperity.
2006-09-04 18:48:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Defense, regulation of trade with other countries, common money system, settling disgreements between states, place to keep fat cat capitalists so they can stop screwing with the market for a while...
2006-09-04 18:49:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Would you rather have what they have in Cuba or Iraq, or in countries that have a militia??
2006-09-04 18:48:37 · answer #10 · answered by dcpacker 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋