What does the term "New Federalism" signify regarding powers not stated in the constitution?

"New Federalism" refers to a political philosophy and approach that emphasizes the distribution of power from the federal government back to the states. This concept emerged prominently in the late 20th century, particularly during the Reagan administration, as a response to what was viewed as an overreach of federal authority into state matters.

The significance of the powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution, particularly under the framework of New Federalism, is that these powers are understood to be reserved for the states, according to the Tenth Amendment. This amendment clarifies that any powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved for the states or the people. Therefore, the idea behind New Federalism is to reinforce the autonomy of state governments and encourage a system where states have more control over their own governance without heavy federal intervention.

In this context, the correct answer emphasizes the importance of state sovereignty in areas of governance that the Constitution does not specifically address, aligning with the principles of New Federalism.