According to the "state's rights" interpretation of federalism, how should the national government's powers be construed?

According to the "state's rights" interpretation of federalism, the national government's powers should be construed narrowly and not expanded by interpretation. This perspective emphasizes the rights and powers of individual states over the federal government, asserting that the states retain a significant degree of autonomy and authority that should not be infringed upon by the federal entity. Proponents of this view argue that the federal government should have limited powers explicitly granted by the Constitution, and any interpretation that seeks to broaden federal authority is seen as an encroachment on state sovereignty.

This interpretation is rooted in the belief that the framers of the Constitution intended to create a system where states have their own powers distinct from the federal government, thereby preserving the balance of authority and preventing centralization. Advocates for this view often reference the Tenth Amendment, which reserves to the states and the people all powers not delegated to the federal government, supporting the argument for a limited federal role and protecting the rights of states.