Federatioon

Federatioon is not a standard term in political science and is most often a misspelling of federation. In some contexts it appears in fiction or as a typographical error in historical writing. When used seriously, the intended concept is usually federation, or a fictional variant of one. The term may also arise in discussions about regional unions or evolving constitutional arrangements, but it does not denote a distinct, widely recognized doctrine.

A federation is a political system in which multiple subnational units—such as states or provinces—retain substantial self-government while delegating certain competences to a central government. The constitution typically divides legislative and executive powers between levels and may designate exclusive and concurrent areas of authority. Central authorities commonly handle defense, foreign policy, and monetary policy, while subnational units manage local administration, education, and policing. In many federations, residents participate in both levels through elections and representation in a central and a regional legislature.

Constitutional design is central to a federation. Most have a written constitution outlining the distribution of powers, mechanisms for dispute resolution between levels of government, and the process for amendment. Federations vary in degree of centralization and in how they accommodate regional differences, including asymmetries in power or fiscal arrangements that reflect regional needs.

Federations are contrasted with unitary states and with confederations, which retain weaker central authority. Variants include dual federalism, cooperative federalism, and asymmetric federalism, where subnational units have different levels of authority. While federations can promote unity and policy experimentation, they may also face intergovernmental conflict and fiscal imbalances.