Political Dictionary
Federalism divides governing authority between the national government and the states.
Definition
Federalism is a system in which power is shared between two levels of government. The Constitution grants certain powers to the federal government, reserves others to the states or people, and allows both levels to exercise some concurrent powers.
Why It Matters
Federalism shapes policy variation, state experimentation, civil rights disputes, taxation, regulation, and the administration of elections.
How It Works
Federal and state governments exercise separate and overlapping powers. When valid federal law conflicts with state law, the Supremacy Clause generally makes federal law controlling.
History
The Constitution replaced the looser confederation with a stronger national government while preserving significant state authority.
Example
Both federal and state governments collect taxes, while states usually manage local education systems.
Common Misconceptions
Related Terms
Related Topics
See Also