Federalism

Federalism is a system of government that constitutionally divides authority between a national government and constituent regional governments. Each level governs directly within its assigned powers.

Constitutional division of powers: The allocation of governmental authority among institutions or levels of government by constitutional rules. Federal constitutions assign powers to national and regional governments, sometimes concurrently.
Unitary state: A state in which the national government holds ultimate constitutional authority over subnational governments. Unlike federal regions, subnational units in a unitary state do not possess constitutionally guaranteed sovereignty.
United States federalism: The constitutional division of authority between the United States federal government and the states. Its enumerated federal powers and state authority illustrate a long-running federal system.
Articles of Confederation: The first constitution of the United States, in force from 1781 to 1789, establishing a weak confederation. Its limitations prompted debate over replacing a confederation with a stronger federal union.
Laboratories of democracy: The idea that subnational governments can test policies whose results may inform other jurisdictions. Federal autonomy lets regions experiment before policies spread or fail nationally.
Enumerated powers: Powers expressly granted to a government or institution by a constitution or statute. Listing national powers can limit the central government and reserve other authority to regions.
Confederation: A union of states in which the central authority depends chiefly on powers delegated by its members. Confederations place ultimate authority more firmly with member states than federations do.
Canadian federalism: The constitutional division of authority between Canada's federal government and its provinces and territories. Provincial powers and French-English politics shape Canada's distinctive federal practice.
United States Constitutional Convention: The 1787 convention in Philadelphia that drafted the United States Constitution. Delegates negotiated a federal structure balancing national authority with state interests.
Interstate migration: The movement of people between states or regions within a country. Different regional policies can influence where people choose to live and work.

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