Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units. The key features of federalism are:
Dual sovereignty: Federalism divides power between a central government and constituent political units, such as states or provinces. Both the central government and the constituent units have their own spheres of authority and can make their own laws and policies.
Supremacy of the Constitution: In a federal system, the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It outlines the powers and responsibilities of both the central government and the constituent units and serves as a binding agreement between them.
Distribution of powers: Federalism divides power between the central government and the constituent units. The central government typically has authority over issues that affect the entire country, such as defense and foreign affairs, while the constituent units have authority over issues that affect their respective regions, such as education and transportation.
Independent judiciary: Federal systems often have an independent judiciary that can interpret the Constitution and resolve disputes between the central government and the constituent units.
Flexibility: Federalism allows for the creation of different levels of government and allows for different levels of autonomy for different regions. This allows for different regions to have different laws and policies that reflect the needs and priorities of their residents.
Protection of minority rights: Federalism allows for the protection of minority rights by providing a system of checks and balances between the central government and the constituent units. This can prevent the oppression of minority groups by the central government or by a dominant constituent unit.
Fiscal Federalism: Federalism also includes the concept of Fiscal Federalism, where the central government and the constituent units have their own sources of revenue and their own budgets. This allows them to pursue their own policies and programs, while also ensuring that there is a balance of power and resources between the central government and the constituent units.