Which of the following best describes federalism?

Federalism is best characterized by the division of power between national and state governments. In a federal system, authority and responsibilities are shared, allowing both levels of government to operate within their defined spheres. This structure is fundamental in ensuring that governance is balanced, enabling local governments to address regional issues while the national government manages broader concerns.

The importance of this division is that it allows for a system of checks and balances, where neither the national nor state governments can exercise unchecked power over the other. This arrangement is intended to prevent tyranny and protect individual rights by allowing multiple levels of government to represent and respond to the needs of the populace effectively.

The other options present alternatives that do not reflect the essence of federalism. Concentration of power in one central government implies a unitary system, which lacks the distribution of authority inherent in federalism. An absence of government control describes a state of anarchy rather than a structured governmental framework. Complete autonomy for each state would suggest a confederation system, where states operate independently without the necessary coordination and cooperation found in a federal system.