Federalism Definition ,Examples , Features and types by Mughiza Imtiaz

 

Federalism

 The system of government in which powers are divided between the center and its provincial units are known as Federalism.  The concept of Federalism is introduced by U.S constitution. The U.S. appears on the map of the World with its 13 federating units through sharing powers. In the U.S. the states existed first, and they struggled to create a national government.

Examples of Federalism

1.    Pakistan is a federal-state having its four provincial government and center and share the power   between   both.

2.    In Brazil, the monarchy fell down in 1889. Federal setup adopted by Brazil in 1891 with one federal district and 26 states.

3.    The establishment of Federal state by Canada in 1867 because of power-sharing between the federal parliament and provinces.

Why Federalism?

The main objective of federalism is to secure personal liberty by the division of the authority so that no one can dominate all powers neither center nor provincial governments. The inventors assumed that division of power is limited.

Features of Federalism

Some of the key features of federalism are followed here:

1.There are two levels of government

2.Different governments govern by the same citizens but each has its own jurisdictions in specific matters

3. The existence and power authority of each government is granted by constitution.

4.The fundamental provisions of the constitution can only   be changed by consent of both levels of government.

5.Court have the power to interpret the constitution as well as the powers of different levels of government.

6.Sources of revenue for both level of government has   clearly specified to ensure financial autonomy.

7.It has dual objectives: 1) to protect and promote the unity of the state, 2) Accommodate the regional diversity.

Types of Federalism

The types of federalism are following here:

1.Dual Federalism (the 1790s-1930s)

It is also known as Layer cake federalism. The system in which both state and national governments share a lot of power to balance each other. The setup in which both levels of government having separate and equal power and both have their own jurisdiction.

2. Cooperative Federalism(the 1930s-1960s)

This type of federalism is known as marble cake because federal and state government share equal power in order to resolve common problems collectively and popular all the way through the great depression, WWII, the cold war, and until the 1960s. The type of federalism in which more power shifted to the national government by dodging state government and allowing the federal government to have direct control over the state activities.

3.Fiscal Federalism 

The type of federalism deals with revenue sharing between both levels. The grant in which the national government providing money to the state for a specific the purpose is known as a categorical grant. Revenue sharing is a way of providing money to the state with no strings attached.

It involves the offer of money from the national government to the state in the form of grants to promote national ends such as public welfare, educational improvements, and environmental standard, etc.

4.Creative Federalism(the 1960s-1980s)

It allows the federal government to decide what is the basic need of the state and provide all the required resources to them. Power shifted towards the federal government, and evidence is the Johnson administration’s social and welfare reforms (1960).  Creative   Federalism or "picket fence federalism" is in which the federal government works directly for the states, and caters to their needs. This involves common planning between the federal and state governments to achieve goals that work for the states.

5.New Federalism (the 1980s-2001)

In the reaction of the state’s loss of authority during creative federalism, new federalism included a reaffirmation of power going back to the state and local governments in order to create a balance between both.

New federalism reimbursed rights to the local and state governments and turned federal government powers over to the lesser governments.

6.Progressive Federalism (2009-present)

In this type of federalism, under President Obama administration, allows the state to have greater control over issues reserved for the national government. It supports state modifying of federal regulations such as stricter regulations on vehicle emissions introduced by California.

7.Vertical Federalism

In this type of federalism, the central government having supreme authority over the land.

8.Horizontal Federalism

This type of federalism involves the view of the interactions and authority being shared between the states of the U.S.