Study Notes on Federalism and Power Distribution

Horizontal distribution of power

The way power is concentrated or dispersed within the national government, relating to executive and legislative relations, presidential versus parliamentary systems, and hybrid systems.

Vertical distribution of power

The relationship between central/national governments and local/subnational governments, including structures of local governance below the national level.

Principle of subsidiarity

The idea that social and political issues should be addressed at the most immediate level suitable for their resolution.

Federalism

A system in which governmental power is constitutionally divided between regional and central governments, enabling each to make final decisions on certain activities.

Geopolitical division (in federalism)

Requires mutually exclusive regional governments, a key concept in federalism.

Independence (in federalism)

Regional and national governments must each hold independent bases of authority, derived from separate election and governance.

Direct governance (in federalism)

Citizens must be under the law of both the regional and national levels of government.

Asymmetric federalism

A form of federalism where some regions hold more powers than others, e.g., Canada's Quebec.

Fiscal centralization

Differences in the share of tax revenue collected at central versus subnational levels; often, unitary systems collect more at the central level than federations.

State-building federalism (coming together)

The formation of a larger federal government among previously independent states, such as the United States.

State-preserving federalism (holding together)

A shift from a unitary system towards federalism, adopted to prevent the breakaway of regions desiring greater autonomy, often due to issues like oil wealth or ethnic identity.

Ethnic federalism

A type of federalism where regions with distinct ethnic identities request autonomy as a condition for remaining within a central government framework.

Devolution

A process where powers are delegated from a central authority to regional bodies, without the formal constitutional guarantee characteristic of true federal systems (e.g., UK's regional assemblies).

Bicameralism and Federalism Correlation

Upper legislative houses often represent states or regions in federal systems, providing a mechanism for smaller states to avoid domination by larger ones through over-representation.

Horizontal Distribution of Power

Ways power is concentrated or dispersed within the national government, relating to executive and legislative relations, presidential versus parliamentary systems, and hybrid systems.

Vertical Distribution of Power

The relationship between central/national governments and local/subnational governments, often organized around geography with two or more layers.

Principal of Subsidiarity

The idea that social and political issues should be addressed at the most immediate level suitable for resolution, promoting decentralization.

Federalism

A system in which governmental power is constitutionally divided between regional and central governments, enabling each to make final decisions on certain activities.

Geopolitical Division (in Federalism)

A key concept in federalism, requiring mutually exclusive regional governments.

Independence (in Federalism)

A key concept in federalism, where regional and national governments must each hold independent bases of authority, derived from separate election and governance.

Direct Governance (in Federalism)

A key concept in federalism, meaning citizens must be under the law of both levels of government.

Asymmetric Federalism

A characteristic where some regions within a federal system hold more powers than others (e.g., Canada’s Quebec).

Fiscal Centralization

The difference in the share of tax revenue collected at central versus subnational levels, often higher in unitary systems than in federations.

State-Building Federalism (coming together)

A logic driving federalism where a larger federal government is formed among independent states; example: United States.

State-Preserving Federalism (holding together)

A logic driving federalism where a unitary system shifts towards federalism to prevent the breakaway of regions desiring greater autonomy (e.g., to address oil wealth or ethnic identity issues).

Ethnic Federalism

A form of federalism where regions with distinct ethnic identities request autonomy as a condition for remaining within a central government framework.

Devolution

A process where powers are delegated from a central authority to regional assemblies without