What are “reserved powers” in federalism?

Reserved powers refer to those authorities that the U.S. Constitution does not explicitly grant to the federal government nor prohibit to the states, which allows these powers to be retained by individual states. This concept is rooted in the Tenth Amendment, which explicitly states that any powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states and the people.

This principle of federalism ensures that states maintain a level of autonomy and can govern themselves in areas that are not specifically covered by federal law, such as education, transportation, and health care. By emphasizing that these powers are reserved for the states, it reflects the foundational vision of American federalism, where both levels of government have distinct roles without overstepping the bounds of their responsibilities.

The other options inaccurately define reserved powers. Powers granted exclusively to the federal government pertain only to those explicitly stated in the Constitution. Shared powers refer to those that both the federal and state governments can exercise, such as taxing or enforcing laws, but do not capture the reserved nature of powers specific to states. Lastly, the notion of powers deriving from judicial review is unrelated to the concept of reserved powers altogether, as judicial review pertains to the authority of courts to evaluate the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions.