Federalism

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Federalism: 

1. Federalism is a system of government in which the power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country.
2. Federalism has two levels of government:
   1. One is the government for the entire country that is usually responsible for a new subject of common national interest.
   2. The others are governments at the level of provinces or states that look after much of the day-to-day administering of their state.
3. Federations are contrasted with unitary governments.
4. Under the unitary system, either there is only one level of government or the sub-units are subordinate to the central.
5. In a federal system, the central government cannot order the state government to do something.

Features of Federalism:

1. Two or more levels of government.
2. Each level has its own jurisdiction (power).
3. Jurisdictions Specified in the Constitution.
4. Changes in the provisions of Constitution require the consent of both the govt’s.
5. Courts acts as an umpire if any dispute arise between the levels of government.
6. Sources of revenue specified (Financial autonomy) – Every state has its own revenue to look after its welfare.
7. Dual objective – promote the unity of the country by accommodating regional diversity.

Kinds of Federations: 

1. 'Coming together' Federations:
   1. Independent states voluntarily form a bigger union.
   2. They enhance their security by pooling their sovereignty and identity.
   3. The states and the centre have equal powers.
   4. Example: USA, Australia, Switzerland.
2. 'Holding together' Federations:
   1. A large country decides to divide its bigger union power between the states and the central government.
   2. The central government is always more powerful than the regional states.
   3. Some units have special powers. Different constituent units have unequal powers.
   4. Examples: USA, Spain and Belgium.