Representative life in the United States of America

Abstract

The Constitution of the United States of America provides for the establishment of a government based on federalism, or power-sharing between the national government and state governments. Both the national and state governments have certain special powers and share others. For example, under the United States Constitution, the powers of the national government have the power to mint cash, declare war, create an army or navy, enter into treaties with foreign governments, and regulate interstate commerce. Among the powers of state governments is the power to fill vacancies in the Senate and to ratify amendments to the United States Constitution. Shared or "joint" powers include the power to impose and collect taxes, build highways, borrow money, and establish banks. Each state has its own constitution. However, all state constitution provisions must be in compliance with the United States Constitution.