Federalism

Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constitutional political units, such as states or provinces. In a federal system, the central government holds some powers and responsibilities, while individual states or provinces retain others.

It allows for a degree of autonomy at the local level, while still maintaining a sense of unity and stability at the national level. In a federal system, the central government usually has powers related to national defense, foreign affairs, and other areas that affect the entire country. Meanwhile, individual states or provinces may have powers related to education, health care, transportation, and other areas that directly affect their own citizens. 

Federalism can be contrasted with a unitary system, where power is concentrated in a central government, and a confederal system, where power is decentralized to political units in a constitution. Many countries around the world have federal systems of government, including the United States, Canada, Germany, and Australia.

What is the Function of Federalism:

• The task of federalism is to create a system of government that balances the need for national unity and coherence with the desire for local autonomy and diversity. Division of power between the national government and constituent units such as states or provinces, allowing for decentralization and local decision-making, while still maintaining a sense of unity and stability at the national level. 

• Federalism also helps prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a single government entity, which may be prone to abuse or corruption. By spreading power among multiple levels of government, federalism creates a system of checks and balances that help ensure that no single level of government becomes too powerful. 

• Another important function of federalism is to allow experimentation and innovation in policy-making. Because different states or provinces have different needs and priorities, federalism allows for a diversity of approaches to governance. 

• This can lead to the development of new policy ideas and solutions that can be tested and refined at the local level before being more widely adopted. Overall, federalism is designed to promote good governance by creating a system of government that is responsive to the needs and preferences of diverse populations, while still maintaining a sense of national unity and coherence.

Main Features of Federalism

There are several main Features of Federalism. Following are the main Features of Federalism:

1. Separation of Powers.
2. Independent Judiciary.
3. Dual Sovereignty.
4. Limited Govt.
5. Shared Power.
6. Written Constitution.

1. Separation of Powers: In a federal system, powers are divided between the national government and constituent units such as states, provinces or territories. Each level of government has its own powers and responsibilities, which are usually defined in a constitution or other legal document.
2. Independent Judiciary: In a federal system, there is usually an independent judiciary that can interpret the constitution and resolve disputes between the national government and the constituent units. It helps ensure that both levels of government operate within the limits of the law.
3. Dual Sovereignty: In a federal system, both the national government and constituent units have their own sovereign power. This means that each level of government has the power to enact and enforce laws within its own jurisdiction without interference from other levels of government.
4. Limited Govt.: Federalism is often associated with the principle of limited government, which holds that government power should be limited by checks and balances and respect for individual rights. In a federal system, the division of powers between the national government and the constituent units helps ensure that no single level of government becomes too powerful.
5. Shared Power: In addition to the powers held exclusively by each level of government, there are also some powers that are shared among them. For example, both the national government and the constituent units may have powers to tax, regulate trade, and provide for the general welfare.
6. Written Constitution: Federal systems are usually based on a written constitution that outlines the powers of the national government and constituent units. This constitution is generally difficult to amend, helping to respect and protect the powers of each level of government.

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