One of the most contentious arguments in American history has centered on the relative strength of the federal government in opposition to the...

It would be very difficult for me to directly answer this question because it is an opinion question. Your response is based on your political beliefs.  I can help you to  create a more informed opinion so that you may answer it in an adequate fashion. The question of the balance of power between the state and the federal government is one that has been wrestled with since the founding of the republic over two hundred years ago. The issue led to the American Civil War. The presence of a strong federal government (unitary system) has a number of advantages. Since the laws are applied uniformly, a sense of unity may be created that does not exist in a confederate system of government. The concentration of power in the federal government tends to be more efficient.  Revenue streams are greater in a unitary system. Because of the increased revenue of a strong federal government, more can be achieved for the greater good of all of the citizens. The biggest criticism of a strong federal government is that it lends itself to tyranny and the dissolution of state and individual rights.

The largest advantage that a strong state government (confederate) model offers is the proximity of the government to the governed. Since the state government is much closer to the citizens than a federal government hundreds or thousands of miles away, it should be able to better represent its people. It should be able to meet the specific needs of the state and its citizens. Different states have different needs so having a stronger political presence in each state may be considered ideal.  Detractors of a strong state government presence would suggest that a unitary system can splinter national unity and cause disagreements between the states. Also, the smaller tax base makes it more difficult to provide services to its citizens.

To complete this essay with an informed opinion, it is necessary to understand the advantages and disadvantages of a unitary and confederate system of government. I have given you a few examples of each of these.