What principle establishes the division of power between national and state governments?

Federalism is the principle that establishes the division of power between national and state governments. In a federal system, authority is constitutionally divided between different levels of government, allowing both the national and state governments to operate independently within their respective areas of jurisdiction. This structure enables them to manage their own affairs while also sharing some powers, such as the ability to tax or regulate commerce. The U.S. Constitution embodies this concept by outlining the specific powers granted to the national government, while reserving other powers to the states, thereby ensuring that both levels of government coexist and maintain distinct responsibilities.

The other options do not specifically address the division of power between national and state governments. Separation of Powers refers to the distribution of governmental authority among the branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) at the federal level. Checks and Balances focus on the mechanisms that maintain the balance of power among these branches, allowing each to limit the powers of the others to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Popular Sovereignty emphasizes the idea that government derives its power from the consent of the governed, focusing more on the legitimacy and authority of governmental power rather than its division.