Federativism

Federativism is a political doctrine that promotes or supports a federation as the preferred form of political organization. In a federative system, sovereignty is divided between a central government and subnational units, such as states or provinces. The constitution delineates powers, with central authorities handling national defense, foreign policy, and monetary policy where applicable, while regional units retain authority over local matters, culture, education, and certain economic policies. The arrangement aims to balance national unity with regional autonomy and to accommodate diverse populations within a single political framework.

The term is closely related to federalism, though some scholars distinguish federativism as emphasizing voluntary association and coordination among relatively sovereign units, rather than a dominant central power. Federative models typically feature mechanisms for intergovernmental negotiation to resolve jurisdictional disputes and may employ a bicameral legislature with representation linked to regional units. Fiscal federalism, including revenue sharing and centralized transfers, is often used to align incentives across levels of government.

Federativism has been realized in various forms around the world, with modern federal states such as the United States, Canada, Germany, India, Australia, and Switzerland cited as examples. Critics argue that federative arrangements can slow decision-making, create intergovernmental tensions, and complicate fiscal policy. Proponents contend that federal structures enhance legitimacy, accountability, and adaptability by allowing regional experimentation.

See also: federalism, confederation, devolution, subsidiarity.