Federalism divides government power between national and state governments.
This means that in a federal system, authority is shared between two levels of government, allowing both the national and state governments to exercise power over the same territory and people. This structure helps to balance power, enabling states to retain certain rights and responsibilities, while the national government handles issues that affect the entire country. Understanding federalism is essential because it shapes how laws are made, how resources are allocated, and how citizens interact with their government. It also plays a crucial role in maintaining the principle of local governance against the backdrop of a centralized national authority.