Federalism
Notes
Difference between the practices of Belgium and Sri Lanka:
Belgium Sri Lanka
Amended constitution 4 times No amendments were made
In 1993, constitutional powers were given to The national government continued to be the
regional governments centre of all powers
State/ Regional governments were no longer State/ Regional governments remained to be
subordinate to the central government subordinate to the central government
States were given autonomy ( right to self Demands of Tamil leaders for autonomy was
govern) denied
Belgium became a federal government Sri Lanka remained to be an unitary
government
What is federalism:
● System of government in which the power is divided between a central authority and
various constituent units of the country
● A federation has two levels of government:
a) Government for entire country that is responsible for subjects of national interest
b) Governments at the state level that administer day to day subjects for their state
● Both the levels of governments enjoy their power independent of each other
Difference between Federal system and unitary system:
Federal system Unitary system
Has more than one level of government Has only one level of government or
sometimes more than one level
Sub units are not subordinate to the central Sub units are subordinate to the government
government
Centre cannot pass orders to the state Centre can pass orders to the state
State are independent in their area of States are not independent and are
jurisdiction and are not answerable to the answerable to the centre
centre
, Answerable to the people Answerable to the people
Eg: India, Belgium, USA Eg: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UK over Scotland
Key/ Salient (important) features of Federalism:
● There are two or more levels of government
● Each level governs the same citizens but has its own jurisdiction in specific matters of
legislation, taxation and administration
● Jurisdictions of each level are specified in the government. So existence and authority is
constitutionally guaranteed
● Fundamental provision of the constitution cannot be changed unilaterally by one level of
the government. Such changes require the consent of both the levels
● Courts have the power to interpret the constitution and powers of the levels of
government. During disputes, the highest court acts as an umpire (judge)
● Sources of revenue for each level of government is specified to ensure financial
autonomy
● The federal system has dual objectives: safeguard and promote unity of the country and
accommodate regional diversity
Aspects crucial for institutions and practice of federalism:
● Governments at different levels should agree to some rules of power sharing
● They should trust that each would abide by its part of the agreement
● An ideal federal system has both aspects: mutual trust and agreement to live together
Two types of federations:
Coming together federations Holding together federations
Independent states come together on their Large country decides to divide powers
own to form a big unit between the constituent states and centre
Increase in security due to pooling The centre is more powerful in regard with
sovereignty and retaining identity the states
All constituent states have equal powers Constituent states have unequal powers
Eg: Switzerland, Australia, USA Eg: India, Spain, Belgium
What makes India a federal country:
● India had emerged as an independent nation after a painful and bloody partition
● Soon the constitution declared India as a Union of states
● Although it did not use the word federalism, the Indian Union is based on the principles
of federalism
● The constitution originally provided for a two tier system of government; Union/ Central
government and State governments
Notes
Difference between the practices of Belgium and Sri Lanka:
Belgium Sri Lanka
Amended constitution 4 times No amendments were made
In 1993, constitutional powers were given to The national government continued to be the
regional governments centre of all powers
State/ Regional governments were no longer State/ Regional governments remained to be
subordinate to the central government subordinate to the central government
States were given autonomy ( right to self Demands of Tamil leaders for autonomy was
govern) denied
Belgium became a federal government Sri Lanka remained to be an unitary
government
What is federalism:
● System of government in which the power is divided between a central authority and
various constituent units of the country
● A federation has two levels of government:
a) Government for entire country that is responsible for subjects of national interest
b) Governments at the state level that administer day to day subjects for their state
● Both the levels of governments enjoy their power independent of each other
Difference between Federal system and unitary system:
Federal system Unitary system
Has more than one level of government Has only one level of government or
sometimes more than one level
Sub units are not subordinate to the central Sub units are subordinate to the government
government
Centre cannot pass orders to the state Centre can pass orders to the state
State are independent in their area of States are not independent and are
jurisdiction and are not answerable to the answerable to the centre
centre
, Answerable to the people Answerable to the people
Eg: India, Belgium, USA Eg: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UK over Scotland
Key/ Salient (important) features of Federalism:
● There are two or more levels of government
● Each level governs the same citizens but has its own jurisdiction in specific matters of
legislation, taxation and administration
● Jurisdictions of each level are specified in the government. So existence and authority is
constitutionally guaranteed
● Fundamental provision of the constitution cannot be changed unilaterally by one level of
the government. Such changes require the consent of both the levels
● Courts have the power to interpret the constitution and powers of the levels of
government. During disputes, the highest court acts as an umpire (judge)
● Sources of revenue for each level of government is specified to ensure financial
autonomy
● The federal system has dual objectives: safeguard and promote unity of the country and
accommodate regional diversity
Aspects crucial for institutions and practice of federalism:
● Governments at different levels should agree to some rules of power sharing
● They should trust that each would abide by its part of the agreement
● An ideal federal system has both aspects: mutual trust and agreement to live together
Two types of federations:
Coming together federations Holding together federations
Independent states come together on their Large country decides to divide powers
own to form a big unit between the constituent states and centre
Increase in security due to pooling The centre is more powerful in regard with
sovereignty and retaining identity the states
All constituent states have equal powers Constituent states have unequal powers
Eg: Switzerland, Australia, USA Eg: India, Spain, Belgium
What makes India a federal country:
● India had emerged as an independent nation after a painful and bloody partition
● Soon the constitution declared India as a Union of states
● Although it did not use the word federalism, the Indian Union is based on the principles
of federalism
● The constitution originally provided for a two tier system of government; Union/ Central
government and State governments
