What division of governmental powers between a strong central government and the state governments?

Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a strong central government and the state governments. The central government is responsible for national affairs, such as foreign policy, defense, and interstate commerce, while the state governments are responsible for local affairs, such as education, law enforcement, and public health.

Federalism is a complex system of government, but it has several advantages over other systems. First, it allows for a diversity of policies and programs to meet the needs of different regions of the country. Second, it prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. Third, it promotes cooperation and coordination between different levels of government.

Federalism is not without its challenges. One challenge is that it can be difficult to coordinate policies between different levels of government. Another challenge is that federalism can lead to conflict between different levels of government. Finally, federalism can make it difficult to pass legislation, since it requires the approval of multiple branches of government.

Despite its challenges, federalism is a popular form of government. It is used in many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany.