WordValefederalism
power divided between central and regional governments
In more detail
1. (noun) a system of government in which power is divided between a central government and smaller regional governments (such as states or provinces)
2. (noun) the principles or beliefs that support this system of divided government power
Examples
- 1. The United States uses federalism, with power shared between the federal government and the individual states.
- 2. Many political scientists study federalism to understand how governments balance central and local authority.
How to use federalism
Federalism refers both to the structural arrangement of government (division of power between central and regional levels) and to the political philosophy supporting such division. It is commonly used in political science, constitutional law, and public policy discussions. The term is neutral but often appears in contexts where advocates emphasize efficiency or responsiveness, while critics may focus on fragmentation.
Common phrases
- federal system
- principle of federalism
- advocate for federalism
- fiscal federalism
- cooperative federalism
- competitive federalism
Synonyms
decentralization · devolution of power · power-sharing · subsidiarity
Opposites
centralism · unitary system · authoritarianism
Word family
federal · federalist · federalize · federally
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse federalism with federation—a federation is the actual political entity formed under federalism, whereas federalism is the system or principle itself.
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