Föderative

Föderative is a term that can refer to various concepts, often related to a federal structure or system. In political science, it generally describes a state or organization composed of a union of partially self-governing states or regions under a central federal government. This means that while there is a central authority, the constituent parts retain a degree of autonomy in their internal affairs. The balance of power between the federal government and the regional entities can vary significantly from one federative system to another. Examples of federative states include the United States, Germany, and Canada.

Beyond political structures, the term "föderative" can also be applied in other contexts to describe a collaborative or networked approach where independent entities work together under a common framework or principle. This might be seen in international organizations, scientific collaborations, or even certain types of decentralized digital networks. The core idea remains the sharing of responsibilities and decision-making power among constituent parts, united by a common purpose or governing body. The specific nature and extent of this shared governance define the particular föderative arrangement.