Texas A&M University (TAMU) POLS206 American National Government Exam 1 Practice Exam

Federalism emphasizes the division of power between national and state governments, which is a foundational aspect of how the United States government operates. This system allows for multiple levels of government to coexist, each with its own responsibilities and authority. By creating this separation, federalism seeks to balance the power so that neither level—state nor national—becomes too dominant.

This structure also promotes local governance and caters to the diverse needs of various states while maintaining a unified nation. The division of authority enables states to implement laws and policies tailored to their specific circumstances, fostering local control and innovation. Federalism thus serves not only to limit the power of the central government but also to empower state and local governments to function independently within their jurisdictions.

The other choices focus on various misconceptions about federalism: the concentration of power would undermine the very essence of federalism, equal power does not accurately represent the varying powers of state governments, and subordination of state laws to international treaties does not reflect the balance of power that federalism aims to achieve between different levels of government.