federalism refers to how power is distributed
Federalism is a division of power between the federal government and the individual state governments. Each government entity has responsibilities over the matters that are best addressed at that level of government. Federalism is established through the Constitution's Supremacy Clause. This clause states that the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Through the Tenth Amendment, we know that all powers not specifically granted to the federal government are reserved to the states.