CBSE · Class 10 · Social Science · Civics: FederalismExplain the key features of Federalism. How is federalism different from a unitary system of government?

Introduction to Federalism\nFederalism is a system of government in which the power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country. Usually, a federation has two levels of government.

Key Features of Federalism

• Two or More Levels of Government: Federal systems usually have two or more levels of government. One is the government for the entire country that is usually responsible for a few subjects of common national interest. The others are governments at the level of provinces or states that look after much of the day-to-day administration of their state.
• Jurisdiction of Each Tier: Different tiers of government govern the same citizens, but each tier has its own jurisdiction in specific matters of legislation, taxation, and administration.
• Constitutional Guarantee: The jurisdictions of the respective levels or tiers of government are specified in the constitution. So the existence and authority of each tier of government is constitutionally guaranteed.
• Rigid Constitution: The fundamental provisions of the constitution cannot be unilaterally changed by one level of government. Such changes require the consent of both levels of government.
• Role of Courts: Courts have the power to interpret the constitution and the powers of different levels of government. The highest court acts as an umpire if disputes arise between different levels of government in the exercise of their respective powers.
• Sources of Revenue: Sources of revenue for each level of government are clearly specified by the constitution to ensure its financial autonomy.
• Dual Objectives: The federal system thus has dual objectives: to safeguard and promote unity of the country, while at the same time accommodate regional diversity.

Difference Between Federal and Unitary Systems

• Power Distribution: In a federal system, powers are divided between the central government and state governments constitutionally. In a unitary system, either there is only one level of government or the sub-units are subordinate to the central government.
• Central Authority: In a unitary setup, the central government can pass orders to the provincial or local government. In a federal system, the central government cannot order the state government to do something; states have their own autonomous powers.
• Examples: India, USA, and Canada follow a federal system, whereas countries like the United Kingdom, China, and Sri Lanka follow a unitary system of government.