The concept of federalism primarily refers to what?

The concept of federalism primarily refers to power sharing between national and state governments, which is captured in the correct answer. Federalism is a system of governance that divides authority between different levels of government, primarily the national and state levels, allowing each to operate within their own spheres of power as defined by the Constitution. This division creates a dynamic relationship where both levels of government can enact and enforce laws, which promotes a balance of power and helps to prevent any one level from becoming too dominant.

In the context of the U.S. Constitution, federalism is foundational because it enables local governance while maintaining a strong national framework, fostering local autonomy in matters that can be best addressed close to the constituents, while reserving other powers for the national government. This structure reflects the framers' commitment to both centralized authority and state rights, an essential aspect of American political identity.

By contrast, the other options relate to different principles of governance or rights. The separation of church and state pertains to the First Amendment and the relationship between religion and government. Individual rights within the Constitution refer to the protections afforded to individuals, particularly through the Bill of Rights. Judicial review of legislation describes the power of courts to examine and invalidate laws that conflict with the Constitution. While these topics