In a federal system, power is shared between which types of governments?

In a federal system, power is shared between national (or federal) and regional governments, which can include states or provinces. This structure is designed to allow different levels of government to operate with some degree of autonomy while still being connected under a larger governing framework.

The national government typically handles issues that affect the entire country, such as foreign policy and national defense, while regional governments manage local affairs, including education and transportation, allowing them to address specific needs and circumstances unique to their areas. This division helps to maintain a balance between unity and regional diversity within a country.

Other options are less accurate in describing a federal system. Local and state governments don’t encapsulate the national level of authority that is crucial in federalism. State and confederate governments suggest a more decentralized structure than the federal model typically embodies. Lastly, the reference to monarchy and democracy does not pertain to the concept of federalism, as it addresses political systems rather than the distribution of power between different levels of government. Therefore, the understanding that federalism involves a partnership between national and regional governments is fundamental to grasping how this political structure operates.