Which of the following is a characteristic of federalism?

Federalism is defined by the division of powers between a central authority and regional (or subnational) governments. This system allows for multiple levels of government, each with their own responsibilities and authority.

In a federal system, the central government and regional governments share power, but this power is not necessarily equal; certain responsibilities are designated specifically to the federal government (like national defense), while others may be reserved for the states (such as education and transportation). This division creates a system of checks and balances, where both levels can impact governance and policy decisions.

The other response options do not accurately describe federalism: having a single authority making all decisions would reflect a unitary system rather than federalism; concentrating power solely in regional governments ignores the importance of the central government role; and stating that local governments maintain all power would suggest a system closer to confederation rather than a true federal structure. Thus, the key characteristic of federalism is the balanced sharing of power between the central and regional governments, making the identified answer the most accurate representation of federalism.