Final answer:
Federalism is the political principle that assigns different functions to different levels of government, distinguishing between national and state powers and allowing for local governments. It should not be confused with the separation of powers, which divides government responsibilities into distinct branches.
Step-by-step explanation:
Federalism and Separation of Powers
The political principle that assigns different functions to different levels of government is federalism. Under the concept of federalism, the United States Constitution delineates a division of powers that is two-fold. On one hand, we have a national government with specific powers, and on the other hand, there are state governments that manage concerns more localized in nature. Furthermore, federalism allows local governmental bodies such as counties and cities to oversee issues relevant to smaller geographic areas. This division of power safeguards the interests of states while simultaneously ensuring a strong, unified national government.
The separation of powers, often conflated with federalism, is a different concept. It refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another. This ensures a distribution of authority that requires cooperation, such as when Congress drafts legislation that must be signed by the President to become law.
Historically, the struggle between national power and state power has evolved, with different eras reflecting distinct balances of authority. Today's federalist system in the U.S. is characterized by an ongoing negotiation of power, where certain policies are determined at the state level, while others are handled federally.