What is Federalism : Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and various state governments. In the United States, the U.S. Constitution gives certain powers to the federal government, other powers to the state governments, and yet other powers to both. The question : Two important aspects of the U.S. Constitution—federalism and the separation of powers—represent, in part, the framers' efforts to divide governmental power. Federalism limits government by creating two sovereign powers—the national government and state governments—thereby restraining the influence of both. Hope it helps