Final answer:
The Supremacy Clause establishes the Constitution and federal law as the highest forms of law in the United States, superseding state laws. If it didn't exist, there could be legal discrepancies between states and federal laws, potentially leading to confusion and weakened federal authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Supremacy Clause is found in Article VI of the Constitution and establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land, taking precedence over state laws when there is a conflict. Without the Supremacy Clause, the United States might be a disjointed nation with conflicting state and federal laws, leading to legal chaos and undermining national unity.
In assessing the outcomes of the absence of the Supremacy Clause, it's clear that the federal government would likely be weaker, resembling more the system under the Articles of Confederation. States could challenge federal authority, leading to inconsistent application of laws across states. Moreover, court systems would be burdened with adjudicating numerous conflicts between state and federal law—potentially leading to different interpretations and enforcement, which could undermine the harmony and stability of the nation's legal system. The Supremacy Clause resolves such conflicts by asserting that federal law is paramount.
Historical examples like McCulloch v. Maryland, which affirmed the power of Congress to establish a national bank and declared that state law could not tax a national institution, illustrate the clause's critical role in maintaining the balance of power between state and federal governments. Without the Supremacy Clause, such landmark decisions would not have the same foundational legal underpinning, possibly resulting in different outcomes that emphasize state sovereignty at the expense of federal power.