federism

Federism is a political concept that describes a system of government where power is divided between a central national authority and constituent political units, such as states or provinces. This division of power is typically enshrined in a constitution, which outlines the specific responsibilities and jurisdictions of each level of government. Federism is distinct from a unitary system, where the central government holds all the power, and a confederacy, where the constituent units retain more autonomy and the central authority is weaker.

Key characteristics of federism include the existence of a supreme constitution that cannot be unilaterally changed by either the central or regional governments, and a division of powers that is constitutionally guaranteed. This often leads to a dual system of governance where citizens are subject to laws and regulations from both national and regional authorities. The purpose of federism is often to balance the need for national unity and common policies with the desire to accommodate regional diversity and local needs. This can promote greater citizen participation and allow for policy experimentation at the regional level. Examples of countries that operate under a federal system include the United States, Germany, and Canada.