What is one major disadvantage of a federal system?

A major disadvantage of a federal system lies in the potential for increased inequalities between states. In a federal system, power and authority are divided between national and state governments, which can lead to significant disparities in how laws and policies are implemented across different regions. This can result in various levels of public services, educational quality, economic opportunities, and healthcare among states.

For example, one state may impose stricter environmental regulations, while another may prioritize economic growth at the expense of such regulations. Consequently, citizens might experience vastly different living conditions and access to services depending on which state they reside in. This lack of uniformity may exacerbate social and economic divides, as wealthier states can invest more in infrastructure and social programs than poorer states, leading to increased inequalities.

In contrast, the other options present advantages of a federal system, such as greater citizen engagement through local governance, uniformity in federal laws that helps standardize regulations, and the benefit of greater state autonomy allowing states to tailor their laws to fit local needs. However, these aspects do not address the core disadvantage of potential inequality prevalent in a federal structure.