What does the principle of federalism encourage?

The principle of federalism encourages the division of power to limit governmental authority. This system is foundational to the organization of government in the United States, as it allocates power between a central authority, the federal government, and various state governments. By distributing power in this manner, federalism helps to prevent any single entity from gaining too much control, thus protecting individual liberties and promoting a balance of governance.

In this context, the division of powers allows both federal and state governments to exercise authority within their respective domains, creating a system of checks and balances. This approach fosters cooperation and competition between different levels of government, ensuring that local needs can be addressed while still maintaining a cohesive national policy framework.

Other choices provided do not align with the fundamental principles of federalism. Instead of consolidating power at the federal level, which would undermine the essence of federalism, the system is designed to empower both state and national actors. Additionally, promoting state supremacy over federal mandates contradicts the cooperative nature of federalism, where both levels work together while still recognizing that the federal government has supremacy in certain matters. Lastly, a unitary government system eliminates the division of power characteristic of federalism, centralizing authority rather than distributing it.