Federalismi

Federalismi, or federalism, is a political system in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central government and subnational units such as states, provinces, or cantons. Each level has defined competences, and neither may unilaterally erase the other's powers. The central government typically handles national affairs like defense and foreign policy, while subnational units manage local matters such as education, health, and transport, within their constitutional remit. Federalism often includes mechanisms for intergovernmental cooperation and dispute resolution, and may feature fiscal arrangements that share revenues between levels.

Forms and variations include federations, which enshrine a stable division of powers; confederations, where the central authority has limited powers and member units retain sovereignty; and devolution or asymmetric federalism, which allows regional powers to differ. Some systems blend elements, resulting in asymmetric or cooperative federalism.

Institutions commonly found in federal systems include representation of subnational units in the national legislature, constitutional courts or supreme courts to adjudicate jurisdictional disputes, and fiscal instruments such as grants, transfers, and equalization to address regional disparities. Intergovernmental councils or cabinets are often used to coordinate policy across levels.

Historical development: federalism emerged in different times and places, with the United States serving as a leading early model, followed by countries such as Germany, Canada, Australia, India, and Switzerland. In Europe, federal reforms have shaped regional autonomy and the balance between unity and diversity. In Italy, the term federalismo is used in political debate to describe approaches to decentralization, regional autonomy, and fiscal transfers.

Contemporary issues include intergovernmental relations, fiscal federalism, regional autonomy movements, and tensions between uniform national standards and local self-government.