What is one primary purpose of the 10th Amendment?

The primary purpose of the 10th Amendment is to balance power between federal and state governments. This amendment is part of the Bill of Rights and explicitly reserves to the states or to the people any powers that are not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution. By doing so, it reinforces the principle of federalism, which is characterized by a division of responsibilities and authority between the national and state governments.

This framework is crucial in ensuring that states have the sovereignty to legislate and govern their own affairs in areas not explicitly managed by federal law. The 10th Amendment thereby acts as a constitutional protection for states’ rights, allowing them to maintain autonomy in various matters such as education, transportation, and local law enforcement, so long as they do not conflict with federal law. This balance helps prevent the centralization of power and promotes a range of governance that can reflect the diversity of the states and their populations.