Final answer:
A federal form of government shares sovereign power with state governments. This division and sharing of power are outlined by a nation's constitution, as seen in the United States, where the Constitution grants certain powers to the federal government while reserving others for the states.
Step-by-step explanation:
A federal form of government is one in which the national government shares sovereign power with state governments. In a federal system, there are clearly defined divisions between the responsibilities and powers of the federal government and the state governments. This balance allows for a degree of local autonomy within the states, while also maintaining a unified national policy on broader issues such as defense and foreign affairs.
In the United States, the Constitution outlines the specific powers granted to the national government, such as the ability to regulate interstate commerce and to declare war, while reserving a host of other powers to the states. For example, states are responsible for setting their own driving laws—a power not held by the federal government. Power is not only split between the national and state governments but is also shared among them. This creates a cooperative form of governance that requires coordination and cooperation between the different levels to serve the citizens effectively.