Final answer:
The expanded powers of the national government both benefit and hinder policy making, as they promote uniform policy implementation yet can limit diversity in approaches and infringe on state rights. The context and the specific policy issue significantly influence this dynamic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether the expanded powers of the national government benefit or hinder policy making is complex and multifaceted. Notably, the advantages of federalism include promoting policy innovation, political participation, and accommodating diverse opinions. For instance, states can act as laboratories for policy innovation which can then inform national policies. An example includes various New Deal policies which were initially inspired by state initiatives.
However, there are also drawbacks to federalism, such as the potential for cross-state disparities and the obstruction of federal efforts to address national problems. When considering the impacts on policy making, an expanded national government can provide uniform policy implementation, which is beneficial. Nevertheless, this can also infringe upon state and individual rights, limiting diversity in policy approaches and possibly undermining the advantages that a more localized approach can offer.
In light of these factors, the most nuanced answer to the question would be that expanded national government powers both benefit and hinder policy making, depending on the specific context and policy issue at hand. It encourages uniformity and efficiency in some cases but may also impact state autonomy and the ability to tailor policies to local needs..