Federalism - Democratic Politics Flashcards

Flashcards covering key terms, concepts, and constitutional features of federalism and decentralisation based on Chapter 2 of Democratic Politics.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country.

Unitary System

A system of government where either there is only one level of government or the sub-units are subordinate to the central government.

Jurisdiction

The area over which someone has legal authority, defined in terms of geographical boundaries or specific kinds of subjects.

Dual Objectives of Federalism

To safeguard and promote the unity of the country while at the same time accommodating regional diversity.

Coming Together Federations

Federations formed when independent States come together on their own to pool sovereignty and retain identity to increase security, such as the USA, Switzerland, and Australia.

Holding Together Federations

Federations formed when a large country decides to divide its power between constituent States and the national government, such as India, Spain, and Belgium.

Union List

A constitutional list of subjects of national importance (defence, foreign affairs, banking, communications, and currency) on which only the Union Government can make laws.

State List

A constitutional list of subjects of State and local importance (police, trade, commerce, agriculture, and irrigation) on which State Governments alone can make laws.

Concurrent List

A constitutional list of subjects of common interest (education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption, and succession) on which both Union and State Governments can make laws.

Residuary Subjects

Subjects that do not fall under any of the three constitutional lists or came up after the Constitution was made (such as computer software), on which the Union Government has power to legislate.

Article 371

Constitutional provisions that grant special powers to certain States like Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram due to peculiar social and historical circumstances.

Union Territories

Areas such as Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, or Delhi that are too small to become independent States, cannot be merged with existing States, and are administered directly by the Central Government.

Coalition Government

A government formed by the coming together of at least two political parties, usually partners who form an alliance and adopt a common programme.

Scheduled Languages

The 22 major languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Decentralisation

The process of taking power away from Central and State governments and giving it to local government.

1992 Constitutional Amendment

A major constitutional change in India that made local government bodies more powerful and effective by mandating regular elections, seat reservations, and revenue sharing.

Panchayati Raj

The popular name for rural local government in India.

Gram Panchayat

A decision-making council for a village or group of villages consisting of ward members (panch) and a president (sarpanch).

Gram Sabha

A body consisting of all adult voters in a village that supervises the Gram Panchayat, approves its budget, and reviews its performance.

Panchayat Samiti

A representative local government body, also called a block or mandal, formed by grouping together a few gram panchayats.

Zilla Parishad

The district-level local government body constituted by all the panchayat samitis or mandals in a district.

State Election Commission

An independent institution created in each Indian State to conduct panchayat and municipal elections.

Mayor

The political head of a municipal corporation in a big city.

Municipal Chairperson

The political head of a municipality in a town.

Porto Alegre Experiment

An experiment in Brazil combining decentralisation with participative democracy, enabling local inhabitants to directly participate in making the city budget.