WEST-E Social Studies Practice Test 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success

The correct answer, federalism, is characterized by a division of powers between a central (national) government and various regional (local) governments. In a federal system, both levels of government have their own responsibilities and can operate independently within their respective spheres of authority. This structure allows for local governance to address issues and needs specific to a community while also enabling a national policy framework that ensures unity and coherence across the entire country.

Federalism is distinct because it maintains a balance of power, where local governments are empowered to make decisions that best serve their constituents while still adhering to the overarching laws and regulations set by the national government. This effectively allows for a dual system of governance that is responsive to both local and national interests.

In contrast, a monarchy typically centralizes power within a single sovereign authority, often hereditary, making local governance subordinate to royal decrees. A dictatorship involves concentration of power in a single leader or party, which diminishes any local governance. Confederation, while it involves a union of states or groups, often lacks a strong central authority and may struggle to enforce collective decisions, thereby not providing a robust structure for both local and national governance in the way that federalism does.