Final answer:
The commerce clause from 1787 adequately addresses modern economic complexities due to Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce, but it is also checked by the Supreme Court to prevent federal overreach, ensuring a balance of power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The commerce clause, written in 1787, remains adequate in the 21st century because it gives Congress the power to regulate a growing and technologically advanced economy that increasingly crosses state lines. This broad power encompasses areas like environmental protection and consumer rights. However, the Supreme Court has placed limits on this power to prevent federal overreach into areas traditionally managed by states.
Since the 20th century, the federal government has used the commerce clause to address matters that were previously managed by individual states, reinforcing the idea of a unified national economy. Yet, decisions such as United States v. Lopez and the ruling on the Affordable Care Act indicate a more conservative approach, ensuring the powers of Congress are reeled in to prevent overstepping the bounds of federal authority.
Ultimately, the commerce clause's flexibility and the contentious nature of its interpretation show it is both influential in shaping federal policy and remains subject to the fluctuating views on the balance of power between state and federal governments.