Federalism: Meaning, characteristics and importance

Federalism is a political concept and legal entity of the government with

the constitutionally divided sovereignty. Federalism is a political
organization principle that pursues the purpose to connect the existence
and independence of political unities, with a connection of these unities
to a higher whole. As a result, federalism is the freedom of narrower and
personal entities within the scope of a whole. Federalism is a concept of
multilayered government which serves the creation of unity in diversity;
it operates towards an integration of what is different in the common.
"Federalism" means a well-regulated system in which a large number of
particular states having equal rights unite to a “free union”, under
protection of their state individuality in a common political acting.

Federalism … refers to the advocacy of multi-tiered government

combining elements of shared-rule and regional self-rule Within the
genus of federal political systems, federations represent a particular
species in which neither the federal nor the constituent units of
government are constitutionally subordinate to the other, i.e. each has
sovereign powers derived from the constitution rather than another level
government, each is empowered to deal directly with its citizens in the

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exercise of its legislative, executive and taxing powers and each is
directly elected by its citizens’ (Watts 1996: 6-7).

Federalism means simply ‘a division of sovereignty between two levels

of government’. Scholars seem to have taken this meaning as implicit in
the idea of a formal allocation of competences among two governing
levels on a permanent basis by a common basic code. Each level is
thought to be ‘sovereign’ within its allocated sphere, with the final say
(Diamond 1961).

Federalism ‘… implies a constitutionally guaranteed division of legal

sovereignty between two layers of government divided territorially.
Sovereignty is thus not confined to one government, but divided or
shared between two’ (Bogdanor 2003: 49).

‘Federalism is a political organization in which the activities of

government are divided between regional governments and a central
government in such a way that each kind of government has some
activities on which it makes final decisions’ (Riker 1975: 101).

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These fundamental principles of federalism are the following:

 Principle of recognition of people and community,

 Principle of autonomy of the members which constitute the union,
 Complementary principle of the members’ participation in the
execution of common authorities,
 Federalization as a kind of association of heterogeneous elements,
 Subsidiary principle.

Goals of Federalism

In order to determine the meaning of federalism, one has to delimit

certain goals of federalism. Indeed, basic goal exist which are applied in
all federal states within the scope of different modalities. This common
basis creates specific features of federal communities. Federalism
turns out to be an efficient form of separation of powers. In a common
state, the federation and the Member States (states) act side by side and
complement each other mutually; however, they control each other
mutually, as well. This control function through federalism, hence, of
the federation towards the Member States (states) and the Member
States towards the federation is just a substitute for the classical
separation of powers. Federalism allows a solution of national conflicts
in countries with a multinational structure. Via federalism, the
subsidiarity principle is realized most clearly in the area of allocation of

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competences. As fundamental aims of federalism, the following shall be
quoted:

 Safeguarding of diversity and different identities,

 Protection of specific features of every minority community,
 Protection of the individuality of every nation, the federal state or
the region.

Just because of what has been said, the basic features of federalism
can be identified, which exist in the development and guidance of
complexity, in opposition to uniformity and rigidity. In practice, a
federation originates and develops in an atmosphere of pluralism,
freedom and democracy, in the variety of parties, regions, ideas and
cultures. Still, in spite of the numerous advantages mentioned, on
may not disregard that there is no ideal form of federalism, for the
formation of any federation is based upon really existing political
institutions and cultures.

Characteristics of federal system of Government in Words

prospective:

a. Written constitution.
b. Some part of constitution only amendments if regional or local
governments have any problem on that.
c. Both governments have autonomy.
d. By laws and economic authority is stated in constitution.
e. To make plan and policy for central government idea and suggestion
of regional government should also consult.

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f. Relation of the central and local government, their procedures and
various institutions among them is stated on constitution.

  Importance of federal system:

 To   represent large number of people and large state needed

federalism for representation of diversity.
 Written constitution.
 Division of government into two parts one is central and another is
local government.
  Right to self determination of various areas.
 Proper utilization of resources.
 To fill the gap from government to general people.
  For the balance development of country.
 To protect equal right   of the people
 National security
 To manage government and other judicial administration.
 To develop state with economic and social prospective.

Advantages of the federal system of government:

 Federal system of government represents the unified government of

people which reduces gap between people and government.
  It make county sovereign and democratic.
 It helps to induces political autonomy.
 It gives the right to development.
 It represents the diversity of the state.
 It reduces work procedures because problem of local level is solve by
local government.
 Direct communication with people and government for the welfare of
state.
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 To control power of central government.
 Constitutional supremacy.
  Qualified administration.
  Develop the concept of democratic and independent election.
                                               

Disadvantages

 Expenses of Central government and local government are hard to

manage.
  Conflict in division of Power or authority.
 Conflict in boundaries of both governments.
  Conflict in geographical structure.
  Amendment of constitution frequently.
 Due to division of Area, group, religion, caste, people were
fighting with each other.