Exclusive federal powers
The federal government has exclusive power over a number of areas, including:
* Foreign affairs
* National defense
* Interstate commerce
* Coining money
* Regulating patents and copyrights
* Establishing a postal service
* Creating federal courts
Exclusive state powers
The state governments have exclusive power over a number of areas, including:
* Education
* Public health
* Law enforcement
* Regulating intrastate commerce
* Conducting elections
* Creating state courts
Shared powers
The federal and state governments share power over a number of areas, including:
* Taxation
* Borrowing money
* Building roads and bridges
* Regulating the environment
* Providing social welfare programs
The balance of power between the federal and state governments has shifted over time. In the early days of the republic, the states had more power than the federal government. However, over time, the federal government has become more powerful. This is due in part to the fact that the federal government is responsible for more and more areas of public policy. It is also due to the fact that the federal government has more resources at its disposal than the state governments.
The balance of power between the federal and state governments is a delicate one. The two levels of government must cooperate in order to effectively govern the country. If the federal government becomes too powerful, it could threaten the rights of the states. If the state governments become too powerful, it could threaten the national interest.