Which term describes the distribution of power between national and state governments?

Which term describes the distribution of power between national and state governments?

• A. Federalism
• B. Confederation
• C. Unitarianism
• D. Monarchy

Answer: (A)

Federalism describes how authority is divided between a national government and regional governments. In a federal system, the constitution assigns certain powers to the national government and reserves others to the states, with some powers shared. For example, in the United States, Congress handles national matters like defense and interstate commerce, while states manage policies like education, with both levels able to tax in many cases. This setup contrasts with a confederation, where states retain most sovereignty and the central government is weak; a unitary system concentrates power at the national level; and a monarchy is about who holds the head-of-state role, not the distribution of governing powers. So the term that fits the distribution of power between national and state governments is federalism.

Federalism describes how authority is divided between a national government and regional governments. In a federal system, the constitution assigns certain powers to the national government and reserves others to the states, with some powers shared. For example, in the United States, Congress handles national matters like defense and interstate commerce, while states manage policies like education, with both levels able to tax in many cases. This setup contrasts with a confederation, where states retain most sovereignty and the central government is weak; a unitary system concentrates power at the national level; and a monarchy is about who holds the head-of-state role, not the distribution of governing powers. So the term that fits the distribution of power between national and state governments is federalism.