Florida Civic Literacy Practice Exam

Which of the following is an example of federalism?

1. The power of the President

2. The principle that the national and state governments share power

3. The role of the Supreme Court

4. The influence of political parties

The correct answer is: The principle that the national and state governments share power

The principle that the national and state governments share power is a fundamental characteristic of federalism. Federalism is a system of governance where authority is divided between a central government and subdivisional entities, such as states or provinces. This division allows for multiple layers of governance, enabling the two levels of government to exercise authority over the same geographical area but on different matters. In the context of the principles of federalism, this shared power ensures that both the national and state governments have specific areas of responsibility, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. For example, the national government manages foreign affairs, while states handle local issues such as education and transportation. This structure helps to prevent the concentration of power in a single entity and promotes a balance that can accommodate diverse needs and interests within the country. While the role of the President, the Supreme Court, and the influence of political parties are important aspects of the governmental system, they do not exemplify the core principle of federalism as directly as the shared power between national and state governments does. The President represents the executive branch at the national level, the Supreme Court interprets laws, and political parties influence politics and governance, but none of these elements inherently illustrate the dual authority characteristic of federalism.