Name: ________________________________ Period: ________________

Author of the Essay: Bryce

1. What is the thesis of the reading?

With America as an empirical example, the arguments for the federal system are true, and thus the
federal system an effective and powerful system of governance.

2. What are the key points (primary ideas or concepts – not facts) from the reading?

a. Federalism allows for a strong unified country without removing the separate governing bodies at the
state and local level that are important for retaining their own autonomy.

b. The self-governance that federalism provides at the local level is important in maintaining a
politically active population, educated in communal duty.

c. The federal system allows for flexibility at the lower level of governance. This in turn manifests in
experimentation on the lower level of policies and legislations, too dangerous to attempt at the national
level.

3. Provide at least three supporting facts or specifics related to the thesis of main idea.

a. “That Federalism furnishes the means of uniting commonwealths into one nation under one national
government without extinguishing their separate administrations, legislatures, and local patriotisms. “
Paragraph 3

b. “Self government stimulates the interest of people in the affairs of their neighbourhood, sustains local
political life, educateshte citizen in his daily round of civic duty, teaches him that perpetual vigilance
and the sacrifice of his own time and labour are the price that must be paid for individual liberty and
collective prosperity. Paragraph 7

c. “Federalism enables a people to try experiments in legislation and administration which could not be
safely tried in a large centralized country. A comparatively small commonwealth like an American State
easily makes and unmakes its laws; mistakes are not serious, for they are soon corrected; other States
profit by the experience of a law or a method which has worked well or ill in the State has tried it.”
Paragraph 9

d. “All of these arguments recommending Federalism have proved valid in American experience.”
Paragraph 12

Bryce explicitly states his points within the passage. He adds in a bit of analysis, but mostly example
and theory upon his point. All of his evidence is apparently based on the empirical evidence of
America’s success using the Federal system (fact d). Facts a, b, and c are essentially carbon copies of his
points. Bryce has made all of his facts into premise by basing them on another premise (fact d)

4. Is the reading "valid"?

Sure it is valid. Empirical evidence is one of the types of evidence that stand rather well as solid backing for
arguments. Despite the shortage of deep analysis and theoretical pondering seen in many political science
essays, Bryce points to America as his shining example and his forefront piece of evidence.

5. Is it "sound"?

Is it ever sound…? Although his argument is based on empiricism and a solid example of America, Bryce is
mistaking causation, or rather he has over simplified the idea of federalism, simply lumping it together as a
positive force for all states. Bryce has not yet proven the uniqueness of the federal system success in America in
respect to the structure of federalism. Other factors like culture may preclude federalism as an effective measure
elsewhere in the world.

6. How does it relate to current times?

It certainly does point out our advantages inherent to the governmental system we apply. And it’s not like we
can just not apply it everyday… it’s the government for Pete’s sake. Bryce’s piece, although spotty on the
evidence portions, is comprehensive at listing the advantages and positive points of the federal system and its
effects upon the American people and government.