Final answer:
Federalism divides power between national and state governments, with the U.S. Constitution providing mechanisms to limit the federal government's power to ensure state sovereignty. Limitations include enumerated powers and a system of checks and balances between government levels. This dynamic balance allows for adaptation over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Federalism and its Limitations
Federalism is a form of government where power is divided between a national government and various state governments. This structure ensures a balance between centralization and decentralization, where the national government has authority to handle certain affairs, like foreign relations and printing money, while state governments manage other issues such as driving laws and local policies.
The United States Constitution outlines this federal framework and incorporates mechanisms to limit the power of the federal government, thereby protecting state sovereignty. These limitations include specifically enumerating powers of the federal government and reserving those not mentioned to the states, as well as the provision of a system of checks and balances where each level of government can exercise certain controls over the other.
In practice, this means there is a complex interaction between the powers held at different levels, allowing for adaptation over time in response to changing needs and circumstances. This ensures a dynamic balance of governance, which has been a topic of debate and evolution since the inception of the Constitution.