Final answer:
An approach to federal-state relationships where each level of government has distinct authority within its own sphere is termed dual federalism. This concept, reflecting a layer-cake view, has undergone transitions to cooperative and new federalism shaping the varied distribution of powers and cooperation levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
An approach to federal-state relationships that envisions each level of government as distinct and authoritative within its own sphere of action is referred to as dual federalism. This style of federalism recognizes that the states and national government exercise exclusive authority in distinctly delineated spheres of jurisdiction. This configuration has often been described as a layer-cake view of federalism. In this context, entities operate within their own domains as outlined by the Constitution, which includes various clauses that support the structure of federalism, such as the elastic clause, the full faith and credit clause, and the privileges and immunities clause.
Federalism has evolved over time from its dual phase into cooperative federalism and new federalism, affecting the distribution of powers and immigration federalism. The system requires various levels of cooperation as seen in public education and health care, and this cooperation is shaped by federal grants, mandates, and judicial authority. Competition also occurs among states under the race-to-the-bottom dynamic, which can influence policies on taxation and regulation. The ongoing dialogue between centralization and decentralization defines federalism's present and future in the United States.