Federalism
Federalism allows the States certain powers over law. Explain how a citizen of one state may face an entirely different set of legal codes than in another and thus a different legal outcome of his case. Though constitutionally the federal government may be supreme, politically it must take into account the fact that the laws it passes have to be approved by members of Congress selected from, and responsive to, state and local constituencies. Federalism allows the States certain powers over law. The definition of federalism is a political system in which ultimate authority is shared between a central government and state or regional governments.