Federalism definition. Federalism. Federalism is a system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government.
Generally, an overarching national government governs issues that affect the entire country, and smaller subdivisions govern issues of local concern. Both the national government and the smaller political subdivisions have the power to make laws and both have a certain level of autonomy from each other. The United States has a federal system of governance consisting of the national or federal government, and the government of the individual states. The U.S. Constitution grants the federal government with power over issues of national concern, while the state governments, generally, have jurisdiction over issues of domestic concern.
Users. How Power is Divided. 9-12): National Government versus Governments. Concurrent Powers. Delegated Powers. Expressed Powers. Inherent Powers. Implied Powers. Reserved Powers. Division of Powers Venn Diagram.