What principle does federalism relate to?

Federalism is fundamentally about dividing power between national and state governments. This system is designed to create a balance where both levels of government have distinct powers and responsibilities, allowing for a more localized approach to governance while still maintaining a unified national framework. In the United States, for example, the Constitution delineates specific powers to the federal government while reserving others to the states, thus embodying the essence of federalism. This division allows for shared governance, enabling both national and state governments to operate effectively within their respective spheres.

The other options, while related to concepts of governance, do not accurately capture the essence of federalism. Distributing power equally pertains more to concepts of political equality rather than structural governance. Dividing power among the branches of government refers to the principle of separation of powers, which is essential in preventing any single entity from becoming too powerful within the same level of government. Power concentrated in one central authority describes a unitary system, which stands in contrast to the federal framework where power is distributed across multiple levels.