For the past 50 years, Republican policymakers and judges have sought to bolster federalism in the United States. Since Ronald Reagan's first inaugural address in 1981, Republicans have been calling for policymakers to rein in the federal government in favor of devolving more power to the states.
Contrary to what it sounds like, "federalism" does not mean a strong central government. Instead, it refers to a system of government in which the people may be regulated by both the federal and state governments.
