Which concept describes power being shared between the states and the national government?

• A. Federalism
• B. Separation of Powers
• C. Checks and Balances
• D. Due Process

Answer: (A)

Federalism is the arrangement in which power is shared between the national government and the states, with each level having authority in different areas. The Constitution assigns certain powers to the national government (like coining money, regulating interstate commerce, and handling foreign affairs) and reserves others to the states (such as elections, licensing certain professions, and education). Some powers are exercised by both levels, known as concurrent powers, and the Supremacy Clause says national law prevails when there’s a conflict, while still recognizing state authority within their own spheres. The other concepts describe different structures: separation of powers divides governing duties among legislative, executive, and judicial branches; checks and balances is the system to prevent any one branch from dominating; due process protects fair legal procedures.