federal

Federal refers to a system of government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central authority and subnational political units, such as states or provinces. In a federal system, both levels have autonomous authority within defined domains, and neither can unilaterally abolish the other’s powers. The constitution outlines the powers allocated to each level and typically provides a mechanism for resolving disputes between them.

Key features commonly associated with federal systems include a written or entrenched constitution, a division of powers, and a judiciary empowered to interpret constitutional responsibilities. Many federations also have structures that represent regional interests in the national legislature and fiscal arrangements that allocate revenue and expenditures across levels of government. Federalism often aims to balance national uniformity with regional autonomy, allowing diversity in policy while maintaining a shared legal framework.

Common examples of federal arrangements include the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, and India, though the exact distribution of powers varies widely. Federal systems are sometimes contrasted with unitary states, where central government holds the primary authority and regional or local authorities operate mainly at the central direction. They are also contrasted with confederal arrangements, where subnational units retain most sovereignty and the central authority has limited, delegated powers. The specific design of a federation—such as how powers are divided and how disputes are managed—shapes governance, policy outcomes, and regional relations.