State Powers

Definition

State powers represent the authority given to individual states within a country's system of governance. In America, each state has its own government with jurisdiction over areas such as education, public safety, and intrastate trade.

Related terms

Federalism: Federalism is a political system where power is divided between a central governing authority (the federal government) and individual regional governments (states).

Reserved Powers: Reserved powers are those not specifically listed in the U.S. Constitution as belonging to the federal government but are reserved for states or individuals.

Nullification Crisis: The Nullification Crisis was a historical event in the early 1830s when South Carolina attempted to declare a federal tariff null and void within its borders, challenging federal authority.