federalism Definition
a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states or provinces.
Using federalism: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "federalism" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The United States has a federal system of government.
Example
Canada is a federation with strong federalism.
Example
The debate over federalism versus state sovereignty continues to be a contentious issue in many countries.
federalism Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for federalism
Phrases with federalism
a political arrangement in which power is divided between the federal and state governments in clearly defined terms, with each level of government exercising its own sphere of influence
Example
Dual federalism was the dominant model of federalism in the United States until the New Deal era.
a political arrangement in which the federal and state governments work together to achieve common goals, with the federal government providing funding and guidance to the states
Example
Cooperative federalism has become the dominant model of federalism in the United States since the 1960s.
a political arrangement in which states compete with each other for resources and businesses, with the federal government playing a limited role in regulating economic activity
Example
Some scholars argue that competitive federalism can lead to a race to the bottom in terms of environmental and labor standards.
Origins of federalism
from Latin 'foedus', meaning 'covenant' or 'league'
Summary: federalism in Brief
Federalism [ˈfedərəlɪzəm] is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states or provinces. Examples include the United States and Canada. Federalism can take different forms, such as dual federalism, cooperative federalism, and competitive federalism. The debate over federalism versus state sovereignty continues to be a contentious issue in many countries.
