U.S. Citizenship Civics TestPrinciples of American DemocracyHard
A group of students is studying the concept of federalism. Which statement accurately describes federalism in the United States?
- AStates have absolute authority over all laws, with no federal oversight.
- BAll governmental power is centralized in the national government.
- CPower is divided between a national government and state governments.
- DThe judicial branch holds supreme power over both the legislative and executive branches.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Power is divided between a national government and state governments.
Federalism is a system of government where power is constitutionally divided between a central (national) government and various regional (state) governments, each having distinct powers.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This describes a confederation where states are supreme, not federalism.
- B. This describes a unitary system, not federalism.
- D. This describes judicial supremacy, not the division of power between national and state governments.
Federalism
A system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between a central (federal) government and regional (state) governments.
- Shared power
- National and state governments
- Each has distinct responsibilities
Memory trick: FEDERALISM: FED and STATES share the pie.