Federalism

Lesson

One country, many levels of government. Who decides what, and who settles the quarrels?

In this lesson you will

List the key features of federalism and tell a federal system from a unitary one
Distinguish coming together and holding together federations, with examples
Explain the Union, State and Concurrent Lists, residuary subjects and the conflict rule
Explain how the Constitution protects the division of powers and the role of the judiciary

Part 1 at a glance

Concept

Federal or unitary?

In federalism, the constitution shares out power between a government for the whole nation and governments for its states or provinces, and each controls a sphere of its own.

Table comparing federal and unitary systems: federal systems have two or more levels with guaranteed powers, as in India, the USA and Belgium; unitary systems have one level or subordinate units that the centre can order, as in Sri Lanka and France
	Federal system	Unitary system
Levels	Two or more, each with its own powers	One, or lower units that take orders
Powers of units	Written in the constitution and guaranteed	Given and taken back by the centre
Can the centre order a state?	Not on the state's own subjects	Yes
Examples	India, USA, Belgium (since 1993)	Sri Lanka, France

Diagram

Belgium and Sri Lanka, again

Table: Belgium became federal after its 1993 changes, so its regional governments have constitutional powers; Sri Lanka remains essentially unitary, and Tamil leaders have asked for a federal system
	Belgium	Sri Lanka
System today	Federal, since the 1993 changes	Essentially unitary
Regional governments	Have constitutional powers; not subordinate to the centre	Most power stays with the national government
Demand heard	Communities wanted autonomy; they got it	Tamil leaders have asked for a federal system

A demand for federalism usually means that people want more say for their region.

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