Which statement best describes federalism in the United States?
Federalism means that state and national governments have shared and divided powers.
Federalism delegates most authority exclusively to state governments.
Federalism means that state governts do not have any delegated powers.
Federalism delegates the power to make laws to states only.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct statement is:
Federalism means that state and national governments have shared and divided powers.
Explanation:
Federalism is the system of government in the United States where power is divided and shared between the national (federal) government and state governments. This division of authority is established in the U.S. Constitution. The national government handles matters that affect the entire country, such as defense, currency, and foreign affairs, while state governments are responsible for matters within their own borders, like education, policing, and local laws.
In this system, certain powers are shared between the federal and state governments, and other powers are divided specifically to one level of government or the other. The Constitution outlines the powers of the federal government in Article I (the powers of Congress) and other sections, and the Tenth Amendment specifically reserves any powers not given to the federal government for the states or the people.
One key feature of federalism in the U.S. is the concept of concurrent powers, where both state and national governments may have authority over certain matters. For example, both can levy taxes, establish courts, and enforce laws.
However, the national government is granted some exclusive powers that cannot be exercised by the states, such as regulating interstate and foreign trade, coining money, and declaring war. Conversely, states also have their own reserved powers, such as regulating education, conducting elections, and managing local policing, as long as these powers do not conflict with federal law.
Federalism allows for a balance of power, ensuring that no single level of government becomes too powerful and ensuring that state governments have a say in how their own citizens are governed, while still participating in the broader national framework.