United Kingdom as a Federation

Coming Together Federation
- The United Kingdom is considered a coming together federation as it was formed through the voluntary union of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- Each of these countries retains its own distinct legal system, education system, and cultural identity within the larger framework of the UK.
- The UK Parliament in Westminster has the power to make decisions on certain matters that affect the entire country, while devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have control over other issues such as education and healthcare.
- The coming together federation model allows for a degree of autonomy for the individual countries while still maintaining a sense of unity and cooperation at the national level.

Holding Together Federation
- On the other hand, the UK can also be seen as a holding together federation due to the historical dominance of England over the other countries.
- England has traditionally held more political and economic power within the UK, leading to tensions and calls for greater autonomy from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- The devolution of powers to the regional governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland can be seen as a way to address these tensions and maintain the unity of the UK.
- In this sense, the UK functions as a holding together federation by balancing the interests and identities of its constituent countries while preventing secession or disintegration.
In conclusion, the United Kingdom exhibits characteristics of both a coming together and holding together federation, with a complex system of governance that seeks to balance unity and diversity among its constituent countries.