Which concept describes the idea that the national government has certain powers that override state laws when there is a conflict, establishing national supremacy?

Which concept describes the idea that the national government has certain powers that override state laws when there is a conflict, establishing national supremacy?

• A. Dual federalism
• B. Cooperative federalism
• C. National supremacy
• D. Reserved powers

Answer: (C)

National supremacy is the idea that when the national government is acting within its constitutional powers, its laws override state laws in any conflict. This comes from the Supremacy Clause, which makes federal law the supreme law of the land. So if a valid federal statute or constitutional provision clashes with a state law, the federal rule prevails. It’s not that states lose all power, but conflicts between federal and state laws within constitutional authority are resolved in favor of the national government. The other federalism models describe different relationships—one emphasizes separate spheres for state and national power, another highlights collaboration, and reserved powers describe what states retain by default.

National supremacy is the idea that when the national government is acting within its constitutional powers, its laws override state laws in any conflict. This comes from the Supremacy Clause, which makes federal law the supreme law of the land. So if a valid federal statute or constitutional provision clashes with a state law, the federal rule prevails. It’s not that states lose all power, but conflicts between federal and state laws within constitutional authority are resolved in favor of the national government. The other federalism models describe different relationships—one emphasizes separate spheres for state and national power, another highlights collaboration, and reserved powers describe what states retain by default.