In the U.S. federal system, which level of government reserves powers not granted to the national government?

In the U.S. federal system, which level of government reserves powers not granted to the national government?

• A. Federal government
• B. Local governments
• C. The President
• D. State governments

Answer: (B)

In a federal system, power is divided between national and subnational governments, with the Constitution specifying what the national government can do. Any powers not granted to the national government are kept by the states (the Tenth Amendment). Local governments, meanwhile, are created by and derive their authority from the state governments, so they do not hold those reserve powers themselves. The President is part of the national government, not a separate level that reserves powers independently. Therefore, the level that reserves powers not granted to the national government is the state governments.

In a federal system, power is divided between national and subnational governments, with the Constitution specifying what the national government can do. Any powers not granted to the national government are kept by the states (the Tenth Amendment). Local governments, meanwhile, are created by and derive their authority from the state governments, so they do not hold those reserve powers themselves. The President is part of the national government, not a separate level that reserves powers independently. Therefore, the level that reserves powers not granted to the national government is the state governments.