Federalism is an important part of how power is divided in the U.S. Constitution. It creates a system that shares power between the national government and state governments. This setup helps to make sure that no one group gets too powerful and encourages teamwork among the different levels of government.

Key Features of Federalism in the Constitution:

1. Enumerated Powers:

   • The Constitution clearly lists the powers of the federal government. These include things like regulating trade between states, maintaining the military, and handling relationships with other countries. These specific powers are called enumerated powers.

2. Reserved Powers:

   • The Tenth Amendment says that any powers not given to the federal government belong to the states. This means states can make decisions about local issues like schools and public safety. This allows them to better meet the needs of their communities.

3. Concurrent Powers:

   • Some powers are shared by both state and federal governments, like the ability to collect taxes and build roads. This sharing helps different levels of government work together.

Examples of Federalism in Action:

• Education: The federal government can support education with money and rules, but states have the final say over their own schools.
• Criminal Justice: Federal laws deal with crimes that happen across state lines, while states take care of local laws. This shows how both levels of government play their part.

This way of dividing power shows how federalism works. It creates a flexible relationship between state and national governments, keeping the system balanced and effective.