Select the correct answer.
Which statement best describes federalism?
A. It is the authority to make and enforce decisions based on a …
B. It is the difference in the functions of the economy’s public and …
C. It is the division of powers between a national government and …
D. It is the use of checks and balances between the three different …
(Note: The options seem to be cut off. Make sure the complete statements are available for accurate selection.)
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. It is the division of powers between a national government and …
Explanation:
Federalism is a system of government where power is divided and shared between a central (national) government and smaller political units, such as states or provinces. In the United States, federalism refers to the distribution of authority and responsibilities between the federal government and the state governments. This structure is outlined in the U.S. Constitution, which grants certain powers to the federal government while reserving others for the states.
The key feature of federalism is that both levels of government are sovereign in certain areas. For example, the federal government has authority over national defense, foreign relations, and interstate commerce, while state governments retain powers over issues like education, local law enforcement, and public health.
Federalism provides a balance between a strong national government and the preservation of state rights and local control. It allows states to experiment with policies tailored to their unique needs while ensuring that the federal government can maintain uniformity in certain key areas, such as civil rights protection and economic regulation.
The U.S. Constitution, through the Supremacy Clause, also establishes that federal law generally takes precedence over state law in the case of conflict. However, the Tenth Amendment further limits the powers of the federal government by stating that any powers not specifically granted to the federal government or prohibited to the states are reserved for the states or the people.
This system aims to ensure that neither the national nor the state governments become too powerful, and it allows for a flexible governance structure that can adapt to the diverse needs of the country. Federalism is often seen as a dynamic system, with the balance of power shifting over time based on political, social, and economic changes.
Therefore, option C correctly describes federalism, focusing on the division of powers between a national government and smaller political units.