FEDERALISM refers to the government system in which significant powers are divided between the central (national) government and smaller (state) governmental units. While not technically part of the “separation of powers”, federalism is essentially another form of separating government authority in a way that helps ensure we have limited government.
Federalist governments vary greatly when it comes to their specific structure. Nevertheless, there are five common characteristics found in most federal systems:
- Establishment of two levels of government (national and subnational), with each assigned different functions
- Written national constitution that cannot be changed without the substantial consent of subnational governments
- Allocation of authority that ensures each level of government some degree of autonomy
- National courts that resolve disputes between levels and departments of government
- Subnational governments that are represented in the upper house of the national legislature