Strong Central Government

Definition

A strong central government refers to a political system where power is concentrated in the central authority, giving it significant control over various aspects of governance. In the context of the U.S. Constitution, fears of a strong central government stemmed from concerns about potential abuse of power and loss of individual liberties.

Related terms

Federalism: Federalism is the division of powers between the central government and regional governments (states). It allows for shared responsibilities while protecting against excessive concentration of power.

Checks and Balances: Checks and balances refer to the system in which each branch of government (executive, legislative, judicial) has powers that limit or balance out those of other branches. This helps prevent any one branch from becoming too dominant.

Bill of Rights: The Bill of Rights consists of ten amendments added to the U.S. Constitution shortly after its ratification. It guarantees individual rights and freedoms, addressing some concerns about an overly powerful central government.