CBSE · Class 10 · Social Science · Civics: FederalismExplain the key features of Federalism. What makes federal systems distinct from unitary systems?

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: There are multiple tiers of government. While one is the government for the entire country (usually responsible for a few subjects of common national interest), others are governments at the level of provinces or states that look after much of the day-to-day administering of their state.
• Jurisdiction: 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.
• Financial Autonomy: Sources of revenue for each level of government are clearly specified by the constitution to ensure financial autonomy.

Difference from Unitary System\nIn a unitary system, either there is only one level of government or the sub-units are subordinate to the central government. The central government can pass orders to the provincial or the local government. But in a federal system, the central government cannot order the state government to do something. State government has powers of its own for which it is not answerable to the central government.