American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

"Dual Sovereignty" as expressed in the federal system can be described as?

1. State delegation of power to local government

2. Federal delegation of power to state government

3. Federal delegation of power to local government

4. Federal and state government reign supreme in separate spheres

The correct answer is: Federal and state government reign supreme in separate spheres

"Dual Sovereignty" refers to the structure of the federal system of government in the United States, where both the federal and state governments possess their own rights and powers that are independent of each other. This concept reflects the idea that both levels of government operate within their own specific domains or spheres of authority. They can enact and enforce laws, collect taxes, and govern their respective populations without interference from one another, provided they stay within their designated areas. This notion is crucial in understanding the relationship between different levels of government in the U.S. It emphasizes the balance and distribution of power, with each level able to exercise authority in areas defined by the Constitution. The federal government has certain powers that are exclusive to it, while states hold their own powers that are not delegated to the federal level. Understanding this framework is essential for grasping how governance works in the U.S., particularly regarding the division of responsibilities and the checks and balances that ensure neither level of government dominates the other unnecessarily.