Final answer:
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a national government and state governments, each having distinct and separate sovereignty. The goal is to help the states retain their own sovereignty in judicial matters over their state laws, distinct from the national government.
Step-by-step explanation:
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a national government and state governments, with each level of government having distinct and separate sovereignty. This means that each level of government has its own authority and responsibilities, and there should be no overlap of responsibility. For example, the national government has authority over issues like foreign relations, while state governments have authority over matters like education and law enforcement.
One of the main goals of federalism is to help the states retain their own sovereignty in judicial matters over their state laws, distinct from the national government. This allows each state to have its own legal system and to make decisions that best suit the needs and preferences of its residents.