federalism
federal system of government
a way of governing a country where national and regional governments share power
federalism in [place]; [country]'s federalism
- Federalism allows both the national government and state governments to make laws in their own areas.
- The constitution established a form of federalism that gives provinces control over education.
- Debates over health care often test the boundaries of American federalism.
- Federalism divides power between national and regional governments.
- Germany and Canada are examples of countries with federalism.
support for federal union
the idea that different states or countries should join together in a federal political system
support for federalism; [regional] federalism
- European federalism calls for stronger shared institutions across the European Union.
- After the war, some leaders saw federalism as a way to bind the states together.
- The party's platform combined regional autonomy with a cautious form of federalism.
- Some politicians support federalism for Europe.
- Federalism can mean support for a federal union.
- Base: federalism
- Plural: federalism
asymmetric federalism
1unequal regional powers
a federal system where not all regions have the same powers
- Asymmetric federalism can help accommodate regions with distinct languages or identities.
- Spain and Canada are often discussed in debates about asymmetric federalism.
- The agreement created asymmetric federalism by giving one province special authority over culture and education.
coercive federalism
1pressure on regional governments
a situation where the national government pushes states or regions to follow its rules
- State officials called the new requirements an example of coercive federalism.
- The lawsuit argued that the funding conditions crossed the line into coercive federalism.
- Critics of coercive federalism say it weakens the independence of state governments.
competitive federalism
1competition among governments
a system where states or regions compete by offering different policies, taxes, or services
- Supporters of competitive federalism argue that states can test different policy ideas.
- Lower business taxes are sometimes defended as a feature of competitive federalism.
- Critics say competitive federalism can create a race to the bottom in labor or environmental standards.
cooperative federalism
1shared intergovernmental action
a system where national and regional governments cooperate to run programs or make policy
- Environmental regulation often depends on cooperative federalism between federal agencies and state governments.
- The program is an example of cooperative federalism because the national government provides funding while states manage delivery.
- Courts have debated how far cooperative federalism can go before it pressures states too strongly.
dual federalism
1separate government powers
a system where national and regional governments each have their own separate powers
- Under dual federalism, the federal government and the states are expected to act within separate policy areas.
- Many civics textbooks contrast dual federalism with cooperative federalism.
- The court's decision reflected a view of dual federalism that limits national power.
european federalism
1federal Europe movement
the idea that European countries should share more power in a federal union
- European federalism has supporters who want the EU to have stronger common institutions.
- Opponents of European federalism argue that national governments should keep more control.
- The speech linked European federalism with peace, shared citizenship, and economic stability.
fiscal federalism
1federal money powers
how money powers and costs are shared between national and regional governments
- Fiscal federalism shapes how schools, roads, and health services are funded.
- The reform changed fiscal federalism by giving provinces a larger share of tax revenue.
- Economists study fiscal federalism to understand which level of government should pay for which services.
new federalism
1devolution to states
a policy idea that gives more power back to state or local governments
- New federalism became an important theme in debates over welfare and education policy.
- The administration promoted new federalism by giving states more control over federal funds.
- Supporters of new federalism argued that state governments were better able to respond to local needs.