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Federalism

Also called: Federal system · Federalist principle · Shared rule and self-rule

Federalism is the idea that power should be split by a constitution between a national government and regional ones, each with its own protected sphere.

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Federalism on 12 axes-100 to +100
ECONOMYSTATESOCIETYWORLDOwnershipMarketsWelfareAuthoritySecurityStructureMoralityReligionTechnologyCultureTradeForeign
Where it stands

Federalism, axis by axis

  1. 01Ownership+10
    PublicPrivate
  2. 02Markets+10
    PlannedFree
  3. 03Welfare0
    SharedSelf-reliant
  4. 04Authority-60
    DemocraticStrong leader
  5. 05Security-10
    LibertyOrder
  6. 06Structure-60
    LocalCentral

    Federalism shares power instead of handing it all to localities, so it leans Local without reaching the pole.

  7. 07Morality0
    ProgressiveTraditional
  8. 08Religion-20
    SecularReligious
  9. 09Technology0
    EmbraceCaution
  10. 10Culture-10
    MulticulturalNational identity
  11. 11Trade-30
    GlobalProtected
  12. 12Foreign policy-30
    CooperationStrength

    European federalists want deeper ties between countries, while others only want more autonomy for states inside one country, so the score stays on the cooperative side without going far.

What is Federalism?

Federalism is a way of building a state and also an idea about why to do it. A federation joins states, provinces or regions into a bigger whole, and each keeps its own government and powers. Matters of common concern, such as defense or currency, are handled together. Local matters are handled locally. A constitution normally fixes who does what, neither level can rewrite the deal alone, and courts settle disputes between them. The same idea can point two ways: toward more autonomy inside one country, or toward closer union among separate ones.

Core beliefs

  • Governing power should be shared between national and regional governments.
  • The constitution, not the central government, should guarantee each level's powers.
  • Splitting power makes tyranny and abuse harder.
  • Regions with their own languages, cultures or needs should run their own affairs.
  • Defense, currency and similar shared concerns are best handled jointly.
  • Regions can try out new policies, and the rest can copy what works.

History

Ancient Greek leagues and the Swiss confederation are early examples. In the early 1600s, Johannes Althusius described society as a ladder of linked communities, from families up to the state. The modern model arrived with the American Constitution of 1787. Three authors, Madison, Hamilton and Jay, wrote the Federalist Papers to win support for it. They claimed a big republic with split powers would keep people free. Alexis de Tocqueville visited and praised the way local institutions worked in America. In the 1800s Pierre-Joseph Proudhon built a federal theory of his own, from an anarchist angle. After the Second World War, Altiero Spinelli and others argued that a federal Europe could end the wars between its nations.

Variants

Dual federalism says each level has its own separate lane. Cooperative federalism says they should work together on joint programs. Fiscal federalism asks who should tax and who should spend. Asymmetric federalism gives some regions extra powers, often to meet the needs of a language or national minority. European federalists want a federal union of European states. Integral federalism, tied to certain French and Swiss writers, applies the idea to economic and social life as well.

Criticisms

Supporters of strong central states say federalism can leave rights and services uneven from region to region, slow down decisions and let regions block national reform. Historians point out that in the United States, states' rights were invoked to defend slavery and later segregation. Nationalist critics say that a federal Europe would drain power from nation states and from voters. Some economists worry that regions competing for investment may race to cut taxes and standards. Supporters reply that federalism shields minorities, allows experiments and keeps government close to the people.

In practice

Many large countries are federations, among them Brazil, India, Germany, Canada, Australia, Russia and the United States. Small ones such as Switzerland and Belgium also use federal rules to manage language communities. The European Union is a half-way case. It has a top court and a euro used by many members, but its states keep too much control for it to count as a full federation. On the 12 axes the profile leans Local on Structure and toward Democratic on Authority, with the other scores close to the middle. Arguments over regional autonomy and tax powers continue in many places.

How close are you to Federalism?

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Federalism: questions

Is federalism liberal or conservative?

Neither, since both sides use it. Conservatives often cite it to limit national government, and progressives use it to let regions pass their own reforms. On the 12 axes it scores close to the middle on most economic and social questions.

Federalism vs unitary state: how do they differ?

In a federation, regional governments hold powers the central government cannot simply take away. In a unitary state, the central government holds ultimate power and may hand some of it to local bodies, which it can also take back.

Federation vs confederation: what is the difference?

A federation has a central government that acts directly on citizens and has real powers of its own. A confederation is a looser alliance in which the member states keep most of the power and the center depends on them.

Further reading