What is the doctrine of federalism?

The doctrine of federalism is a foundational concept in the United States Constitution. It is the idea that the federal government and state governments have distinct authorities or powers, each responsible for certain areas of law and governance. The idea of federalism emerged in the late 1700s when the Founding Fathers drafted the U.S. Constitution as a way to balance the power between the federal government and the state governments. The federal government is given certain powers to address issues which affect more than one state, such as foreign policy, trade, immigration, and currency, while state governments are given authority over more localized matters such as education, taxes, and healthcare. In Alaska, for example, the state government upholds the Constitution while developing and enforcing state laws and regulations. The federal government, meanwhile, is responsible for the remaining matters not set by the state government, such as national defense and foreign policy. The doctrine of federalism is crucial in allowing the federal government to remain strong while protecting the rights of state governments.

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What is the doctrine of federalism?

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