Podcast
Questions and Answers
What percentage of the world's population lives in countries with federal political systems?
What percentage of the world's population lives in countries with federal political systems?
What is the term used to describe the division of power among different levels of government?
What is the term used to describe the division of power among different levels of government?
How many countries in the world have federal political systems?
How many countries in the world have federal political systems?
What was one of the key changes made in the Constitution of Belgium?
What was one of the key changes made in the Constitution of Belgium?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of the third tier of Indian federalism?
What is the name of the third tier of Indian federalism?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term used to describe the system of government in India?
What is the term used to describe the system of government in India?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of the book that provides information about federal countries?
What is the name of the book that provides information about federal countries?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following countries is NOT a federal country?
Which of the following countries is NOT a federal country?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the change that took place in Belgium in 1993?
What was the change that took place in Belgium in 1993?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main characteristic of a federal system of government?
What is the main characteristic of a federal system of government?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main objective of a federal system?
What is the main objective of a federal system?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the two crucial aspects for the institutions and practice of federalism?
What are the two crucial aspects for the institutions and practice of federalism?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the exact balance of power between the central and state governments dependent on?
What is the exact balance of power between the central and state governments dependent on?
Signup and view all the answers
How many levels of government are there in a federal system?
How many levels of government are there in a federal system?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the two routes through which federations have been formed?
What are the two routes through which federations have been formed?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of system does Sri Lanka have for all practical purposes?
What type of system does Sri Lanka have for all practical purposes?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
What is Federalism?
- A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country
- Usually has two levels of government: one for the entire country responsible for a few subjects of common national interest, and governments at the level of provinces or states
- Both levels of governments enjoy their power independent of the other
Characteristics of Federalism
- Dual objectives: to safeguard and promote unity of the country, while accommodating regional diversity
- Crucial aspects: mutual trust and agreement to live together among governments at different levels
- Balance of power between central and state governments varies from one federation to another, depending on the historical context
- Two kinds of routes to form a federation: independent states coming together to form a bigger unit, or a unitary system transforming into a federal one
Examples of Federal Countries
- 25 out of 193 countries in the world have federal systems
- Large countries that are federations: Canada, United States, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, India, and others
India's Federal System
- India has a federal system, also referred to as the Union government
- A new and third tier of Indian federalism is the local government
- Discussion of federal constitutional provisions and policies that have strengthened federalism in practice in India
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Learn about the system of government where power is divided between central authority and constituent units, including its dual objectives and features.