Federation

A political arrangement that divides authority between shared institutions and constituent units, allowing each level substantial self-government within a common system.

Federalism: A principle of government that constitutionally divides authority between a central government and territorial units. This broader principle explains the ideas and institutions that distinguish federations from other political systems.
Division of powers: The allocation of governmental responsibilities among institutions or levels of government. It determines which matters federal and constituent governments may govern independently or jointly.
Unitary state: A state in which the central government holds ultimate constitutional authority over territorial administrations. Unlike a federation, its regional governments do not possess constitutionally guaranteed sovereignty of their own.
United States: A federal republic of fifty states governed under the Constitution of 1787. Its constitutional division of powers is a prominent example of a federation.
Constitution: A body of fundamental rules that establishes governmental institutions, powers, and limits. A federation’s constitution allocates powers among its shared government and constituent units.
Concurrent powers: Governmental powers that may be exercised by both a central government and constituent units. Overlapping authority makes coordination and conflict-resolution necessary within a federation.
Confederation: A political association in which sovereign member states delegate limited powers to shared institutions. A confederation rests more directly on member-state sovereignty than a federation does.
Switzerland: A federal republic composed of twenty-six cantons, with authority shared across levels of government. Its cantons retain substantial powers within a durable federal system.
Subsidiarity: A principle that decisions should be made by the lowest level of government capable of addressing them effectively. It offers a rule for deciding which responsibilities belong to federal or constituent governments.
Constitutional court: A court with authority to interpret a constitution and review whether laws comply with it. Courts can settle disputes over the constitutional boundaries of federal and constituent authority.

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