What is The division of government power and responsibility between states and federal government?

Answer 1

This answer maybe a little long as this is a complex subject that has undergone some changes throughout the years.

Originally it was thought that it would be simpler to keep a handle on government at a local level, and to make the federal government separate and unwieldy. Originally the Federal government was to deal with state to state relations as well as international relations with other countries. This also included a set of base rights to 'set the standard' across the states.

An example of spheres:

It was considered unwieldy for the federal government to pass a law against using certain types of fence posts, while state and local city governments were the correct bodies to control such things.

It was also a problem for each state to enter into agreements with France, as we gained more states each would have to join the agreement; so the Federal government worked on the states behalf.

The proponents of this system quickly recanted this view, while it is complicated I will try to simplify: the Constitution set out certain rights, and they can be expanded upon by the states but they cannot be infringed. Within days of passing the constitution, states using the separation clause, attempted to amend their constitutions to take away rights for varied reasons. For example several states attempted to void the separation of church and state by making amendments; at least on of which was "amending the word 'God' to 'our savior Jesus Christ' " (Virginia); the resolution failed miserably, but it was a clear indication of the course things would take and how quickly the constitution would be assaulted.

By 1803 the Supreme Court, with the support of the constitutional authors, had made it clear that this separation had limits and the Civil War is another example of how these limits were put in place.

More Examples of spheres:

A state, city, can control the type of homes constructed because of local conditions - where the federal government can only set general standards; because home construction differs from environmental concerns.

The federal government can set pollution standards because the pollution is not limited to just the 'state' or area where the pollution may occur. Pollution effects the entire planet in fact.

The federal constitution guarantees the right to a jury trial through two clauses, in both civil and criminal trials. States have expanded on this right in differing ways; Texas openly states "..a right to trial by jury in all cases.'

Answer 2

this was so, not to make each government too powerful. they did not want the national government 2 over step it's bounds.

Answer 3

it is called federalism

Answer 4

Federalism.