federalism
gb/fˈɛdɚəlˌɪzəm/ us/fˈɛdɚəlˌɪzəm/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
abstract
1
federal system of government
a way of governing a country where national and regional governments share power
Usage pattern:
federalism in [place]; [country]'s federalism
Common mistake:
Do not use federalism as an adjective. Use federal, as in a federal government or a federal system.
Synonyms
federal system (a clearer, more concrete term for the same form of government)
|
federation (usually refers to the country or union itself, not the principle of government)
|
shared sovereignty (emphasizes that different levels of government each have authority)
Antonyms
unitary government (a system where most political power is held by one central government)
|
centralism (emphasizes concentration of power at the center)
Collocations
American federalism
|Canadian federalism
|constitutional federalism
|a system of federalism
|the principles of federalism
|a model of federalism
|federalism and democracy
|federalism and states' rights
|the division of powers
|the balance of power
Themes
politics
|government
|law
|civics
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- Federalism divides power between national and regional governments.
- Germany and Canada are examples of countries with federalism.
Noun
formal
C1
abstract
2
support for federal union
the idea that different states or countries should join together in a federal political system
Usage pattern:
support for federalism; [regional] federalism
Common mistake:
Federalism in this sense is not simply centralization; it usually means combining shared central authority with regional self-government.
Synonyms
federalist ideology (emphasizes the political beliefs behind support for a federal system)
|
pro-federation politics (emphasizes support for forming or strengthening a federation)
Antonyms
separatism (support for regions or groups becoming independent rather than joining a federal union)
|
anti-federalism (opposition to creating or expanding a federal system)
Collocations
European federalism
|support for federalism
|a commitment to federalism
|advocate federalism
|promote federalism
|federalism movement
|federalist ideas
|a federal union
Themes
politics
|ideology
|government
|international_relations
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- Some politicians support federalism for Europe.
- Federalism can mean support for a federal union.
Grammar
Dictionary form
federalism
IPA
GB/fˈɛdɚəlˌɪzəm/
US/fˈɛdɚəlˌɪzəm/
Syllables & stress
fed - er - al - ism (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fed)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: federalism
- Plural: federalism
Expressions
asymmetric federalism
1/ˌeɪsɪmˈɛtɹɪk fˈɛdɚəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
technical
unequal regional powers
a federal system where not all regions have the same powers
Examples
- 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
1/koʊˈɚsɪv fˈɛdɚəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
technical
pressure on regional governments
a situation where the national government pushes states or regions to follow its rules
Examples
- 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
1/kəmpˈɛtɪtɪv fˈɛdɚəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
technical
competition among governments
a system where states or regions compete by offering different policies, taxes, or services
Examples
- 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
1/koʊˈɑpɚˌeɪtɪv fˈɛdɚəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
shared intergovernmental action
a system where national and regional governments cooperate to run programs or make policy
Examples
- 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
1/dˈul fˈɛdɚəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
separate government powers
a system where national and regional governments each have their own separate powers
Examples
- 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
1/jˌʊɹəpˈiən fˈɛdɚəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
federal Europe movement
the idea that European countries should share more power in a federal union
Examples
- 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
1/fˈɪskəl fˈɛdɚəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
technical
federal money powers
how money powers and costs are shared between national and regional governments
Examples
- 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
1/njˈu fˈɛdɚəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
devolution to states
a policy idea that gives more power back to state or local governments
Examples
- 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.