Which of the following accurately describes how the supremacy clause has made a positive contribution to the concept of federalism?
A. The supremacy clause allows states to ignore national government policies when they conflict with the best interests of states.
B. The supremacy clause has allowed the Supreme Court to resolve conflicts when both the national and state governments are exercising legitimate, but conflicting, powers.
C. The supremacy clause allows states to make policies that work best for their state, even if those policies conflict with legitimate policies of the national government.
D. The supremacy clause has allowed states to increase their powers when they conflict with the national government.
B. The supremacy clause has allowed the Supreme Court to resolve conflicts when both the national and state governments are exercising legitimate, but conflicting, powers.
The correct answer is B. The supremacy clause has allowed the Supreme Court to resolve conflicts when both the national and state governments are exercising legitimate, but conflicting, powers.
To understand why, we need to understand what the supremacy clause is and its impact on federalism. The supremacy clause is found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution. It states that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties made by the federal government are the supreme law of the land. This means that if there is a conflict between federal and state laws, the federal law prevails.
The supremacy clause is essential to maintaining the balance of power between the federal and state governments. It prevents states from ignoring or disregarding federal laws when they conflict with state interests. Instead, it provides a mechanism for resolving conflicts between the two levels of government.
When conflicts arise, the Supreme Court plays a crucial role in interpreting the Constitution and determining the extent of federal powers. The Court has the authority to declare a state law or action unconstitutional if it violates the Constitution or conflicts with federal laws. This power ensures that the federal government's powers are upheld and that the states do not exceed their constitutional authority.
Therefore, option B accurately describes how the supremacy clause has made a positive contribution to the concept of federalism by providing a legal framework for resolving conflicts between the national and state governments.