Introduction to Federalism
Federalism is a form of government in which a central state divides power with local entities working for it, which are called states. Federalism is a dynamic concept of governance whose history can be traced in many countries, allowing us to understand how this system has evolved and what it looks like today. It is a meaningful concept for state and local governance, as it provides autonomy, better governance, and increased equality while allowing the central government to better control international matters and states to govern their own internal affairs.
Foundations and principles of federalism took their roots in antiquity when states joined neighboring city-states into one common order. One of the first federal states was the League of Athens, where ten city-states allied to preserve peace and order. During this period, there was also active work to create self-governance associations and adopt common rules.
Federalism developed and put into practice the principles of self-governance and central government. At the end of the 18th century, the United States of America emerged as an example of a full-fledged federal state (Goelzhauser & Konisky, 2020). This was the first state where the central government and the states were equal, and the first full-fledged constitutional agreement was adopted.
Interaction of States and National Government
In federal countries, the administrative units have broad powers. They can act according to the will of their people, but their powers are limited to those rights granted to them by the central government. At the same time, the central government has the right to intervene in the activities of the states. This allows the central government to make decisions and provide services throughout the state. Despite states having the right to self-government, there is a clear understanding of who dominates in federal states.
States have the right to govern their own internal affairs, while the national government has the right to govern international matters. The national government dominates foreign policy, foreign trade, and maritime policy. States can only act in those areas where they are given the right to act by the national government. In most cases, the central government has the upper hand in all areas, including economics, security, legislation, and administrative management (Goelzhauser & Konisky, 2020). Thus, the central government dominates as it has greater control over resources and the power to implement its decisions.
Conclusion
Federalism is a crucial idea for state and local governments. It has various benefits, including enhanced equality, better governance, and a high degree of autonomy. Additionally, it enables states to manage their internal issues and the national government to exercise stronger influence over international issues. Numerous nations, including the United States, Germany, India, Australia, and many more, have successfully implemented federalism.
As states and the federal government share authority and resources, this structure promotes consistency and power balance. Because there are more rights and freedoms for individuals and local groups, federalism also promotes a more stable democratic system. Federalism encourages diversity and allows more individuals to participate in political processes.
Reference
Goelzhauser, G., & Konisky, D. M. (2020). The State of American Federalism 2019–2020: Polarized and Punitive Intergovernmental Relations. Publius, 50(3), 311–343. Web.