Centralization of Government

I think a few words are needed about what I mean about centralization of government. Based on my observations, there are two kinds of centralization, administrative and governmental. Administrative centralization is the concentration of power to direct interests special to certain parts of the nation (like local projects, etc.). Governmental administration is the concentration of power to direct the enactment of general laws and other items common to all parts of the nation. The latter was very much in evidence when I wrote my treatise on Democracy in America and the former was almost non-existant as local administration (primarily at the township level) was the norm.

As I observe America today, more and more local administration is taken up at the state or federal level. This has the effect of causing indifference among the people and a reduction in patriotic sentiment. Although administrative centralization may be more efficient in some cases in the short-run, long-run, it erodes the national character and moral fiber of a nation. This leads many folks to idleness as they wait for 'government' to solve their (and the nation's) problems. I think we all can agree that this is occurring in our nation today. We just don't all agree on the cause. Hopefully, this post gives some "food for thought" on the cause. In my opinion, the chief cause is more administrative centralization at the state and federal levels.