2. Federalism: One Country, Shared Power

Federalism means power is divided between the national government and state governments. This is why the United States has one Constitution for the whole country but also state constitutions, state courts, state legislatures, and local governments.

The federal government handles powers that need national unity: declaring war, printing money, regulating interstate commerce, foreign policy, and immigration. States handle many daily-life powers: elections, schools, public safety, licenses, and local government organization. Some powers are shared, including taxing, borrowing money, building roads, and enforcing laws.

The GED® often asks you to match an issue to the correct level of government. A treaty is federal. A driver's license is state. A city trash pickup schedule is local. Federalism helps a large country govern local needs without losing national unity.

References: National Archives: America's Founding Documents