American federalism refers to the division and sharing of powers between the national government and state governments in the United States. It is a system that allows for both levels of government to have authority over different areas.
Related terms
Enumerated Powers: These are specific powers granted explicitly to the national government by the U.S. Constitution, such as regulating interstate commerce.
Reserved Powers: Reserved powers are those not specifically given to the national government and therefore reserved for state governments, such as education policy or elections.
Concurrent Powers: Concurrent powers are shared by both levels of government, allowing them to act on certain issues simultaneously. Examples include taxation and law enforcement.