Which concept describes the distribution of powers between the national government and the states?

• A. Separation of powers
• B. Checks and balances
• C. Judicial review
• D. Federalism

Answer: (D)

Federalism is the principle that divides sovereignty between national and state governments, assigning certain powers to the federal level and reserving others for the states. The Constitution outlines areas like defense and foreign policy as federal responsibilities, while education, policing, and local governance are traditionally handled by the states. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the United States to the states or the people, and the Supremacy Clause establishes that federal law takes precedence when there’s a conflict. There can also be concurrent powers shared by both levels. This focus on how authority is split across government levels is what sets federalism apart from the other concepts, which describe internal structure (separation of powers), oversight among branches (checks and balances), or judicial interpretation of laws (judicial review).