What constitutional principle divides power between national and state governments?

What constitutional principle divides power between national and state governments?

• A. Separation of powers
• B. Federalism
• C. Popular sovereignty
• D. Checks and balances

Answer: (B)

Federalism is the distribution of sovereignty between national and state governments, giving each level its own set of powers and responsibilities. The Constitution assigns national powers (such as defense, currency, and regulating interstate commerce) while reserving others for the states (like education, policing, and licensing), with some areas allowing shared authority and the national government final in constitutional matters. This arrangement lets both levels govern within their respective domains and provides a mechanism for resolving conflicts through constitutional provisions like the Supremacy Clause. The other concepts describe different structural ideas—separation of powers divides authority among branches of the national government; popular sovereignty is the people’s ultimate source of authority; checks and balances are how branches constrain each other within the national government.