How might the distribution of powers between the national government and the states have affected the overall effectiveness of the country?

This was a key question for the founders.

In short, the founders sat down and tried to determine which governmental activities were best done collectively by all the states and which were best left to be done individually by the states.

So, as an example, it would be unwise for each state to have their own military but a collective military would be more efficient and able to respond to the needs that emerged.

in 476 c.e. romulus, the last of the roman emperors in the west, was overthrown by the germanic leader odoacer, who became the first barbarian to rule in rome. the order that the roman empire had brought to western europe for 1000 years was no more.

the social contract theory