What principle divides power between national and state governments?

The principle that divides power between national and state governments is known as federalism. This system allows for a division of authority, where certain powers are reserved for the national government, such as regulating interstate commerce and conducting foreign affairs, while other powers are allocated to the state governments, such as administering education and local law enforcement.

Federalism fosters a balance in governance, enabling states to exercise their own powers while still being subject to the overall authority of the national government. This structure is crucial for accommodating the diverse needs and preferences of different states, as it allows them to tailor policies that best suit their populations.

In contrast, separation of powers primarily focuses on the division of government responsibilities among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches within a single level of government, rather than between different levels. Limited government refers to constraints on governmental powers to protect individual freedoms, but it does not inherently address the division of power between national and state levels. Popular sovereignty is about the principle that the government derives its authority from the consent of the governed, which is a fundamental concept but not directly related to the division of powers between different levels of government.