Subnationale

Subnationale is a term used in political science to describe governance, authority, and administration that operates below the national level within a country. Subnational units—such as regions, provinces, states, or municipalities—exercise varying degrees of political autonomy and perform government functions assigned by a country's constitution or laws. The concept is central to debates on decentralization, devolution, federalism, and regionalism, and it encompasses both the institutions themselves and their powers.

In unitary states, subnational entities exist mainly as administrative divisions created by central law, with powers that can be reshaped by the central government. In federal systems, subnational units have constitutionally enshrined powers and may have their own legislatures and executives, with fiscal autonomy and jurisdiction over areas such as education, health care, transportation, and taxation. The exact distribution of powers—and the degree of autonomy—varies widely across countries and over time, shaped by political negotiation, constitutional design, and intergovernmental relations.

Common policy areas found at the subnational level include education, local policing, social services, housing, infrastructure, and economic development. Fiscal arrangements often involve a mix of subnational revenue sources, transfers from the national government, and borrowing capacity. Subnational governance also interacts with regional and municipal authorities, civil society, and the private sector in policymaking and implementation.

Examples of subnational units include France's regions and departments, Canada's provinces, the United States' states, Germany's Länder, Spain's comunidades autónomas, and Italy's regioni. The term underscores the divided nature of sovereignty and the layered structure of public authority in many states.