How does the Constitution address the balance of power between federal and state governments?

The Constitution addresses the balance of power between federal and state governments primarily through the Supremacy Clause. This critical provision is found in Article VI of the Constitution, which explicitly states that the Constitution, and federal laws made pursuant to it, are the supreme law of the land. This means that when state laws conflict with federal laws, federal laws take precedence. The Supremacy Clause thus serves to ensure a cohesive legal framework across the entire nation, preventing states from enacting conflicting laws that could create confusion or disrupt the uniform application of laws established by the federal government.

While other clauses, such as the Commerce Clause, do play significant roles in delineating powers and regulating specific areas of concern (e.g., interstate commerce), they do not address the overarching supremacy of federal authority. Similarly, the Equal Protection Clause and the First Amendment focus on individual rights and civil liberties rather than the structural relationship between federal and state governments. Therefore, the Supremacy Clause is the cornerstone of maintaining the balance of power, establishing a clear hierarchy of laws that governs the interaction between state and federal authorities.