What is federalism?

• A. A System in Which All Political Power Resides in the National Government
• B. The Power to Veto Laws Is Held by the President
• C. The Sharing of Power Between the Executive and Legislative Branches
• D. The Division of Power Between the National Government and State Governments

Answer: (D)

Federalism is the division of power between the national government and state governments, so both levels can govern within their own spheres. The national government handles matters that affect the entire country, such as defense, currency, and relations with other nations, while states handle local concerns like education, highways, and public safety. Some powers are shared or overlap, but each level has its own authority in different areas. This structure helps ensure national unity while allowing local solutions that fit regional needs.

The other ideas describe different concepts: one would place all political power in the national government (a unitary system), another focuses on the president’s veto power (an executive check within the national government), and another describes how power is shared between branches of the national government (the separation of powers).