What is the Privileges and Immunities Clause (Article IV)?

The Privileges and Immunities Clause, found in Article IV of the U.S. Constitution, is primarily intended to promote unity among states by ensuring that citizens traveling from one state to another are afforded the same rights and privileges as the residents of that state. This means that if a person from one state enters another state, they should not be treated in a discriminatory manner compared to the state's own citizens.

This clause aims to prevent states from enacting laws that would discriminate against citizens from other states, fostering a sense of camaraderie and equality across the nation. It is essential for maintaining a cohesive union where individuals can move freely and participate fully in economic, social, and political life throughout the states without fear of prejudice based on their state of origin.

In contrast, the other choices focus on various aspects of state interactions and responsibilities, but they do not reflect the core purpose of the Privileges and Immunities Clause. Extradition between states involves cooperation for legal matters, honoring federal laws relates to federal supremacy, and taxation by states pertains to fiscal policies, none of which captures the spirit or functionality of this Clause as it pertains specifically to the rights of citizens visiting different states.