What term refers to the division of power between the national and state governments?

The term that refers to the division of power between the national and state governments is federalism. Federalism is a system of governance in which power is shared between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states or provinces. This structure allows for a balance of power, enabling different levels of government to exercise authority over their respective areas of jurisdiction while maintaining a cohesive national framework.

In the context of the United States, federalism is enshrined in the Constitution, which delineates the powers granted to the federal government and those reserved for the states. This division of responsibilities helps to prevent any single entity from gaining too much power, fostering a system that encourages local governance alongside national unity.

The other terms—such as confederation, which refers to a union of sovereign states that come together for specific purposes but retain their independence, monarchy, which is a form of government where a single ruler holds power, and direct democracy, where citizens directly participate in decision-making—do not accurately describe this particular system of power sharing that characterizes federalism.