The national government generally has power over issues of national concern. The states generally have power over issues of state concern. For example, the national government has power over the defense of the nation. Defense must be coordinated for the entire nation. The states have the power to issue drivers' licenses because driving rules and conditions differ from state to state.

The national powers are often called enumerated or delegated powers. This is because they were specifically listed for the national government when the Constitution was written. You can find these powers written in Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the U.S. Constitution.

The state powers are often called reserved powers. This is because they were powers kept by the states when the Constitution was written. These powers are not written down in the U.S. Constitution. If a power is not listed for the national government in the U.S. Constitution, it generally belongs to the states. There are some exceptions to this rule, as the case of McCulloch v. Maryland shows.

Some powers are shared by the national and the state levels of government. These are called concurrent powers. For example, both the national government and the state governments are allowed to tax. This allows both levels of government to have the money they need to provide services.

Based on these ideas, examine the list of government powers below and say whether you think each one is an enumerated (national) power, reserved (state) power, or concurrent (shared) power. Download the Venn Diagram and place these powers in the diagram. Be prepared to explain your answer.