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Federalism

Definition

Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and regional or state governments. Each level of government has its own set of powers and responsibilities.

Analogy

Think of federalism as a pizza with different toppings. The central government is like the cheese that holds everything together, while the state governments are like different toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, or olives. Each topping has its own flavor (powers), but they all contribute to making up the whole pizza (country).

Related terms

Devolution: Devolution is the transfer of power from a central government to regional or local governments.

Unitary System: A unitary system is a form of government where power resides in a centralized authority with little or no autonomy for subnational units.

Confederation: A confederation is an alliance or union of independent states that come together for common purposes while retaining their sovereignty.



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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.