Which of the following is NOT an example of a concurrent power?

The correct choice highlights a fundamental aspect of the distribution of powers within the federal governmental framework of the United States. Concurrent powers are those powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments. Examples of concurrent powers include the power to tax, establish courts, and charter banks, as these powers can be exercised at both levels of government simultaneously.

In contrast, the power to declare war is not an example of a concurrent power because it is exclusively reserved for the federal government. The U.S. Constitution expressly grants Congress the authority to declare war, which means that states do not have the power to initiate military action or formally declare war independent of federal authority. This delineation ensures a unified national defense strategy and prevents the fragmentation of military power among states. Thus, the exclusion of declaring war from concurrent powers reinforces the principle of federalism and the specific roles assigned to different levels of government.