What are reserved powers?

Reserved powers refer to those authorities and responsibilities that are not explicitly granted to the federal government by the Constitution and are instead reserved for the states. This concept is rooted in the Tenth Amendment, which states that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

The significance of reserved powers lies in the principle of federalism, where both the states and the national government operate within their own spheres of authority. This division helps maintain a balance of power and allows states to address local needs and governance according to their specific circumstances.

The other choices pertain to different aspects of governmental powers. Powers granted exclusively to the federal government detail the authority assigned to the national level, while shared powers describe areas where both the federal and state governments can legislate, such as taxation. Implied powers refer to those not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are necessary to carry out express powers. However, reserved powers are specifically focused on the authority retained by the states, distinct from those granted to or shared with the federal government.