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Questions and Answers

What is the primary objective of federalism as a constitutional mechanism?

  • To eliminate diverse identities within a country
  • To prohibit self-government in federated units
  • To divide power between different levels of government (correct)
  • To centralize power in one governmental unit

Which of the following is NOT typically associated with federal systems?

  • Absolute power concentration (correct)
  • Territorially large countries
  • Culturally diverse countries
  • Countries with substantial autonomy for regions

What are some potential advantages of federalism?

  • Encouragement of diverse identities (correct)
  • Enhanced democratic participation (correct)
  • Elimination of local governance
  • Centralized service delivery

What risk is associated with federalism in culturally diverse nations?

<p>Potential for deeper conflicts (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way can federalism hinder governance?

<p>Through legal complexities (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key characteristic of asymmetrical federalism?

<p>Greater autonomy for certain regions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does federalism typically support democratic resilience?

<p>By ensuring participation at local levels (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following countries is known for having a federal-like system?

<p>Argentina (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential negative effect of federalism on minority groups within constituent units?

<p>Exposure to discrimination and oppression (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can a strong central government benefit minority groups?

<p>By ensuring equal protection of the law for locally concentrated minorities (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the challenges posed by local elites in a federal system?

<p>They may misuse subnational governments for private gain (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can worsen the effectiveness of subnational governments?

<p>Lack of human and financial resources (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What risk does the decentralization of government pose in a federal system?

<p>It may lead to decentralized oligarchy or autocracy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can federalism create instability in conflict-prone areas?

<p>By fostering secessionist demands through institutional mechanisms (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What could happen if demands for secession are not addressed in a federal system?

<p>It could result in destabilizing and potentially violent secession (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What consequence may arise from overburdening weak governing institutions in a federal system?

<p>Disillusionment, distrust, and discontent among the populace (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main levels in a typical federal system of government?

<p>National and regional levels (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a supreme judicial body in a federal system?

<p>To adjudicate disputes between different levels of government (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identity federalism is characterized by which of the following?

<p>Multiple communities with distinct cultural identities (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes efficiency federalism?

<p>Decentralization to enhance democratic accountability in a culturally homogeneous nation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key components of a federal system?

<p>Rigidity in power distribution (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which example represents a country with identity federalism?

<p>Belgium (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a federal system, what is the significance of having shared powers?

<p>To ensure collective governance on issues of common concern (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of federalism in terms of policy development?

<p>It allows for innovation and experimentation in policymaking by subnational units. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic distinguishes a federal system from a unitary system?

<p>Separation of powers across multiple levels of government (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does federalism affect the central government's responsibilities?

<p>It frees the central government to focus on strategic national challenges. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a possible disadvantage of federalism?

<p>It can lead to duplication of government functions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of federalism enhances public participation?

<p>Decentralized governance allowing more people to engage in politics. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a potential impact of federalism on economic development?

<p>It may promote geographically diverse economic and social development. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do state institutions play in a federal system?

<p>They serve as a training ground for public officials and citizens. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism in federalism helps ensure fair resource distribution?

<p>Revenue sharing and fiscal arrangements. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can lead to challenges in policy coherence in a federal system?

<p>Duplication of government functions across different levels. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase ‘We the people’ signify in relation to the U.S. Constitution?

<p>It emphasizes that the Constitution is the fundamental law of the United States. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do federal systems provide a governance structure for large or diverse countries?

<p>By decentralizing power within the state structure. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between ‘coming together’ and ‘holding together’ federalism?

<p>Coming together involves independent states forming a federation, while holding together involves a single state transitioning to a federal structure. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of federalism, what is a common misconception about the term used to describe the federal level of government?

<p>It can be referred to as 'national', 'central', or 'union' government. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the relationship between U.S. citizens and their governments under federalism?

<p>Citizens are subject to both federal and state laws in prescribed spheres. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why has federalism gained prominence globally over time?

<p>It decentralizes power, helping to unify diverse populations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a term used to refer to constituent units in federal systems?

<p>Districts (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of federal systems in terms of power distribution?

<p>There is a dual authority in governance with overlapping powers. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary rationale for adopting a federal system of governance?

<p>To allow for local governance and autonomy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential disadvantage of federalism?

<p>Complexity in governance (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of federalism does 'coming together' refer to?

<p>States uniting to form a national entity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the distribution of powers in federalism is true?

<p>Powers are divided between national and state governments (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In terms of advantages of federalism, which option is often highlighted?

<p>Flexibility to adapt policies to local needs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'holding together' mean in the context of federalism?

<p>An agreement between states to maintain separate identities (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does federalism impact legislative powers?

<p>Both national and state legislatures have defined powers (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is a common argument against federalism?

<p>It can dilute accountability among government officials (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and regional governments.

Distribution of Powers

How legislative and executive responsibilities are divided between the central and regional governments in a federal system.

Legislative Powers

The authority to create and pass laws.

Executive Powers

The authority to enforce laws.

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Rationale for Federalism

The reasons for using a federal system, often related to achieving balance and efficiency.

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Advantages of Federalism

Potential benefits of a system dividing power between central and regional governments, such as fostering unity and diversity.

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Disadvantages of Federalism

Potential drawbacks of a system dividing power between central and regional governments, such as conflicts or inefficiencies.

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Constitutional Building

The process of creating or reforming a constitution in a nation.

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Constitutional mechanism

Rules and laws written in a constitution to organize the division of power in a federal government.

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Federated units

States or provinces within a federal system that have some freedom to govern themselves.

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Power sharing

The act of dividing governmental authority between levels of government.

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Risks of Federalism

Federalism can sometimes worsen existing conflicts or make it hard to carry out policies consistently.

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Culturally diverse countries

Countries with a variety of different ethnicities, religions, languages.

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Territorially large countries

Countries with a large area.

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Two Levels of Government

Federal systems typically have two main levels - a national level and a regional level (e.g., states, provinces).

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Local Government Roles

Some federal systems might also include local governments with specific powers, like in South Africa.

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Identity Federalism

Federalism where different cultural groups want to stay together but also need autonomy

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Efficiency Federalism

Federalism where a large country aims to improve representation and control over resources by decentralizing power.

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Federalism Goals

Federalism aims to balance unity on some issues and diversity on others, allowing for both common goals and local needs.

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Constitutional Distribution

Federalism relies on a constitution that clearly defines the division of powers between different levels of government.

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Federalism: Supreme Judicial Body

A federal system generally includes a top court to resolve disputes between different levels of government.

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US Federalism: A New System

The US Constitution established a new federal system where power is shared between the national government and individual states, directly elected by the people, not by other states.

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Dual Authority

In the US federal system, citizens are subject to both the laws of the federal government and the laws of their individual states. This creates two overlapping authorities.

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Federalism's Spread

Federalism, initially a US concept, has been adopted by many countries, both during periods of democratization and as a way to manage large or diverse nations.

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Federalism's Two Faces

Federalism can come about in two ways: 'coming together' when independent states form a new federal system, or 'holding together' when a unitary state decentralizes power to address challenges within its borders.

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Federalism: A Global Mosaic

Different countries may use different terms for their federal levels and constituent units, such as 'states', 'provinces', or 'regions', even though their systems share core characteristics.

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Federalism and Decentralization

Federalism often serves as a tool for existing states to decentralize power, giving more autonomy to regions, and can be used to manage tensions from secessionist movements.

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Terminology Matters

The language used to describe federal systems can be varied, with 'national', 'central', 'union' governments, and labels like 'states', 'provinces', or 'regions' used for constituent units.

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Federalism's Global Relevance

Federalism is a system of governance that has gained global significance and has been adapted by countries across continents, political systems, and legal traditions.

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Innovation in Policymaking

Federalism allows subnational units to create unique policies to meet their own needs, leading to experimentation and innovation in policy development.

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Reduced Central Government Burden

Federalism allows national governments to focus on strategic challenges and national priorities by delegating domestic administration and service delivery to regional levels.

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Resource Sharing

Federalism ensures equitable distribution of public resources, like taxes and funding, across all areas through revenue sharing and fiscal arrangements.

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Diverse Development

Federalism promotes geographically diverse development by allowing regions to make decisions based on their own needs.

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Training Ground for Citizens

Regional institutions in a federal system serve as training grounds for citizens, representatives, and public officials to develop civic skills and participate in governance.

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Potential Duplication of Work

Federalism can lead to overlapping or contradictory policies across different levels of government, creating inefficiency and confusion.

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Policy Incoherence

Federalism can create challenges in coordinating policies across different levels of government, leading to inconsistent or conflicting rules.

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Functional Boundaries

Federalism can make it challenging to implement policies that cross functional boundaries or have unintended consequences on other policy areas.

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Minority Exclusion in Federalism

Federal systems, while potentially empowering cultural minorities, can also expose them to discrimination within constituent units if those units are formed along ethnic, linguistic, or religious lines.

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Central Government's Role in Minority Protection

A strong central government can act as a safeguard for minorities living within constituent units, ensuring equal protection under the law.

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Abuse of Power by Local Elites

Powerful interests can exploit subnational governments for personal gain, leading to corruption and undermining the common good.

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Decentralized Democracy vs. Oligarchy

The challenge in decentralized systems is ensuring that power is truly shared democratically, and not concentrated in the hands of local elites.

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Capacity Issues in Subnational Governments

Subnational governments may struggle to function effectively due to a lack of resources, leading to ineffective governance and potentially undermining public trust.

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Destabilizing Effects of Federalism

Multiple centers of power in a federal system can create instability and risks of conflict, especially in the absence of a strong democracy.

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Federalism and Secessionist Demands

While federalism can satisfy demands for autonomy, it may also provide a platform for secessionist movements, leading to instability and potential violence.

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Suppression of Secessionism

Unmet demands for autonomy can lead to secessionist movements, which may be suppressed through anti-democratic measures.

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Study Notes

Introduction

  • Federalism is a constitutional system dividing power between different levels of government.
  • Federated units have guaranteed autonomy in certain policy areas.
  • The system combines partial self-government with partial shared government.
  • Federal systems are often associated with culturally diverse or geographically large countries, including examples like Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Spain, South Africa, and the United States.
  • Federalism aims to ensure peace, stability, and mutual accommodation in countries with diverse identities. Improved service delivery and democratic resilience are also potential benefits.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Federalism

  • Rationale: Federalism addresses problems of scale and diversity.
  • Scale: Small communities can participate more directly in democracy, but representatives, rather than direct participation, are needed on a national scale. Federalism allows smaller units to address their specific needs, with the national government handling broader issues.
  • Diversity: Recognizes different ethnic, religious, or linguistic communities.
  • Potential disadvantages:
    • Increased regional differences in wealth and resource distribution (unless revenue sharing is in place).
    • Potential for harmful economic competition between subnational units.
    • Judicialization of politics (disputes between levels are more likely to be resolved in the courts).
    • Potential exclusion of minorities.
    • Ineffective governance due to a lack of capacity and/or ineffective decision-making at the local level.
    • Increased government operations resulting in high costs.
    • Instability and threats to democracy.

What is the Issue?

  • Federalism is a system that divides power between levels of government. There are usually two levels: a central/federal level, and a provincial/state/regional level.
  • Federalism allows distinct communities to exercise autonomy over local matters, while also participating in a unified nation.
  • Components required in a federal system include a constitution that specifies power distribution, judicial bodies to settle disputes between levels, and legislative/executive institutions at each level.
  • Identitiy federalism: occurs when distinct communities have common interests that cause them to unite geographically, but still desire to maintain autonomy.
  • Efficiency federalism: occurs when a geographically large nation desires more democratic representation, by decentralizing power and resources at regional levels for more accountability.
  • The issue revolves around balancing the need for unity and common ground with regional diversity and autonomy.

Other Potential Advantages of Federalism

  • Power-sharing: Different groups can have influence at different levels within the federation.
  • Broader power base: Allows minorities representation, by enabling them to hold office at regional levels.
  • Effective policy innovation: Local governments may test innovative policies that could be useful on a national level.
  • Reduced burden on national government: Allows certain aspects of governance to be handled locally

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