Final answer:
The most common method to amending the Constitution involves proposing an amendment by two-thirds of Congress or two-thirds of the states calling a convention, and ratifying an amendment by three-fourths of state legislatures agreeing to adopt it. This process reflects federalism by involving cooperation between the national government and state governments. The arduous process ensures that amendments to the Constitution have widespread support, protecting it from arbitrary changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Amending the Constitution is a significant act as it requires a change to the document that guides our national governance. The amendment process is a two-step process that typically requires action from both Congress and state legislatures. To propose an amendment, two-thirds of both chambers of Congress must agree to the proposal or two-thirds of the states may call a convention. To ratify an amendment, three-fourths of the state legislatures must agree to adopt it. This process reflects federalism because it involves the cooperation between the national government and the state governments.
The effect of such an arduous process is that it ensures that any amendments to the Constitution have widespread support. The supermajority requirement ensures that changes to the Constitution cannot occur unless there is broad support within Congress and among states. While this can make the process difficult, it also protects the Constitution from arbitrary changes and ensures that amendments have genuine popular support.