Difference between revisions of "Federation"
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| − | A '''federation''' (Latin: foedus, foederis, '[[covenant]]'), also known as a federal state,EKAS.gee is a type of [[sovereign]] [[state]] characterized by a [[union]] of partially [ | + | A '''federation''' (Latin: foedus, foederis, '[[covenant]]'), also known as a federal state,EKAS.gee is a type of [[sovereign]] [[state]] characterized by a [[union]] of partially [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federated_state self-governing states] or regions united by a central (federal) [[government]]. In a federation, the self-governing [[status]] of the component [[states]] is typically [[constitutionally]] entrenched and may not be altered by a unilateral [[decision]] of the central government. |
| − | The [[form]] of [[government]] or [[constitutional]] [[structure]] found in a federation is known as federalism (see also federalism as a [[political]] [[philosophy]]). It can be considered the [[opposite]] of another system, the unitary state. The government of Germany with sixteen federated Länder is an example of a federation, whereas neighboring Austria and its Bundesländer was a [ | + | The [[form]] of [[government]] or [[constitutional]] [[structure]] found in a federation is known as federalism (see also federalism as a [[political]] [[philosophy]]). It can be considered the [[opposite]] of another system, the unitary state. The government of Germany with sixteen federated Länder is an example of a federation, whereas neighboring Austria and its Bundesländer was a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitary_state unitary state] with [[administrative]] divisions that became federated, and neighboring France by contrast has always been unitary. |
Federations may be multi-[[ethnic]], or cover a large area of territory, although neither is [[necessarily]] the case. Federations are most often founded on an [[original]] [[agreement]] between a number of [[sovereign]] [[states]] based on [[mutual]] concerns or interests. The initial [[agreements]] create a [[stability]] that [[encourages]] other common interests, brings the disparate territories closer, and gives them all even more common ground. At some time this is [[recognized]] and a movement is organized to merge more closely. Other times, especially when common [[cultural]] factors are at play such as ethnicity and [[language]], some of these steps in this [[pattern]] are expedited and compressed. | Federations may be multi-[[ethnic]], or cover a large area of territory, although neither is [[necessarily]] the case. Federations are most often founded on an [[original]] [[agreement]] between a number of [[sovereign]] [[states]] based on [[mutual]] concerns or interests. The initial [[agreements]] create a [[stability]] that [[encourages]] other common interests, brings the disparate territories closer, and gives them all even more common ground. At some time this is [[recognized]] and a movement is organized to merge more closely. Other times, especially when common [[cultural]] factors are at play such as ethnicity and [[language]], some of these steps in this [[pattern]] are expedited and compressed. | ||
| − | The international council for federal countries, the [ | + | The international council for federal countries, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forum_of_Federations Forum of Federations], is based in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa Ottawa], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario Ontario]. It helps [[share]] best [[practices]] among countries with federal [[systems]] of [[government]], and currently includes nine countries as [[partner]] [[governments]]. |
==Federations and other forms of state== | ==Federations and other forms of state== | ||
| − | In a federation the component states are regarded as in some sense [[sovereign]], insofar as certain [[powers]] are reserved to them that may not be [[exercised]] by the [[central]] [[government]]. However, a federation is more than a mere loose [[alliance]] of [[independent]] [[states]]. The component states of a federation usually [[possess]] no [[powers]] in [[relation]] to foreign [[policy]] and so they enjoy no [[independent]] [[status]] under [ | + | In a federation the component states are regarded as in some sense [[sovereign]], insofar as certain [[powers]] are reserved to them that may not be [[exercised]] by the [[central]] [[government]]. However, a federation is more than a mere loose [[alliance]] of [[independent]] [[states]]. The component states of a federation usually [[possess]] no [[powers]] in [[relation]] to foreign [[policy]] and so they enjoy no [[independent]] [[status]] under [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_law international law]. |
| − | Some federations are called [[asymmetric]] because some states have more [[autonomy]] than others. An example of such a federation is [ | + | Some federations are called [[asymmetric]] because some states have more [[autonomy]] than others. An example of such a federation is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia Malaysia], in which Sarawak and Sabah entered the federation on [[different]] terms and conditions from the states of Peninsular Malaysia. |
| − | A federation often [[emerges]] from an initial [[agreement]] between a number of separate states. The [[purpose]] can be the will to solve [[mutual]] [[problems]] or to provide for [[mutual]] [[defense]], or to create a nation state for an [[ethnicity]] spread over several states. The former was the case with the United States and Switzerland, the latter with Germany. However, as the [[history]] of countries and nations varies, the federalist [[system]] of a state can be quite [[different]] from these [[models]]. Australia, for instance, is [[unique]] in that it came into [[existence]] as a [[nation]] by the [[democratic]] [[vote]] of the [[citizens]] of each State who voted "yes" in referendums to adopt the Australian Constitution. Brazil on the other hand, has [[experienced]] both the federal and the unitary state through its [[history]]; some present day States of the Federation retain the borders set during Portuguese colonization (i.e. previous to the very [[existence]] of Brazilian state), whereas the latest State ([ | + | A federation often [[emerges]] from an initial [[agreement]] between a number of separate states. The [[purpose]] can be the will to solve [[mutual]] [[problems]] or to provide for [[mutual]] [[defense]], or to create a nation state for an [[ethnicity]] spread over several states. The former was the case with the United States and Switzerland, the latter with Germany. However, as the [[history]] of countries and nations varies, the federalist [[system]] of a state can be quite [[different]] from these [[models]]. Australia, for instance, is [[unique]] in that it came into [[existence]] as a [[nation]] by the [[democratic]] [[vote]] of the [[citizens]] of each State who voted "yes" in referendums to adopt the Australian Constitution. Brazil on the other hand, has [[experienced]] both the federal and the unitary state through its [[history]]; some present day States of the Federation retain the borders set during Portuguese colonization (i.e. previous to the very [[existence]] of Brazilian state), whereas the latest State ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tocantins_(state) Tocantins]) was [[created]] by the 1988 Constitution, chiefly for [[administrative]] reasons. |
Eight of ten of the world's largest countries by area are governed as federations. | Eight of ten of the world's largest countries by area are governed as federations. | ||
==Unitary states== | ==Unitary states== | ||
| − | A [ | + | A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitary_state unitary state] is sometimes one with only a single, centralised, national tier of [[government]]. However, unitary states often also include one or more self-governing regions. The [[difference]] between a federation and this kind of unitary state is that in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitary_state unitary state] the [[autonomous]] [[status]] of self-governing regions exists by the sufferance of the central government, and may be unilaterally revoked. While it is common for a federation to be brought into being by [[agreement]] between a number of [[formally]] [[independent]] [[states]], in a unitary state self-governing regions are often created through a [[process]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devolution devolution], where a formerly centralised state agrees to grant [[autonomy]] to a region that was previously entirely subordinate. Thus federations are often [[established]] [[voluntarily]] from 'below' whereas [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devolution devolution] grants self-government from 'above'. |
| − | It is often part of the [[philosophy]] of a unitary state that, regardless of the [[actual]] [[status]] of any of its parts, its entire territory [[constitutes]] a single [[sovereign]] [[entity]] or nation-state, and that by [[virtue]] of this the central [[government]] [[exercises]] [[sovereignty]] over the whole territory as of [[right]]. In a federation, on the other hand, [[sovereignty]] is often regarded as residing notionally in the [[component]] states, or as being [[shared]] between these states and the central government.[ | + | It is often part of the [[philosophy]] of a unitary state that, regardless of the [[actual]] [[status]] of any of its parts, its entire territory [[constitutes]] a single [[sovereign]] [[entity]] or nation-state, and that by [[virtue]] of this the central [[government]] [[exercises]] [[sovereignty]] over the whole territory as of [[right]]. In a federation, on the other hand, [[sovereignty]] is often regarded as residing notionally in the [[component]] states, or as being [[shared]] between these states and the central government.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation] |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*'''''[[Confederation]]''''' | *'''''[[Confederation]]''''' | ||
[[Category: Political Science]] | [[Category: Political Science]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:24, 13 December 2020
A federation (Latin: foedus, foederis, 'covenant'), also known as a federal state,EKAS.gee is a type of sovereign state characterized by a union of partially self-governing states or regions united by a central (federal) government. In a federation, the self-governing status of the component states is typically constitutionally entrenched and may not be altered by a unilateral decision of the central government.
The form of government or constitutional structure found in a federation is known as federalism (see also federalism as a political philosophy). It can be considered the opposite of another system, the unitary state. The government of Germany with sixteen federated Länder is an example of a federation, whereas neighboring Austria and its Bundesländer was a unitary state with administrative divisions that became federated, and neighboring France by contrast has always been unitary.
Federations may be multi-ethnic, or cover a large area of territory, although neither is necessarily the case. Federations are most often founded on an original agreement between a number of sovereign states based on mutual concerns or interests. The initial agreements create a stability that encourages other common interests, brings the disparate territories closer, and gives them all even more common ground. At some time this is recognized and a movement is organized to merge more closely. Other times, especially when common cultural factors are at play such as ethnicity and language, some of these steps in this pattern are expedited and compressed.
The international council for federal countries, the Forum of Federations, is based in Ottawa, Ontario. It helps share best practices among countries with federal systems of government, and currently includes nine countries as partner governments.
Federations and other forms of state
In a federation the component states are regarded as in some sense sovereign, insofar as certain powers are reserved to them that may not be exercised by the central government. However, a federation is more than a mere loose alliance of independent states. The component states of a federation usually possess no powers in relation to foreign policy and so they enjoy no independent status under international law.
Some federations are called asymmetric because some states have more autonomy than others. An example of such a federation is Malaysia, in which Sarawak and Sabah entered the federation on different terms and conditions from the states of Peninsular Malaysia.
A federation often emerges from an initial agreement between a number of separate states. The purpose can be the will to solve mutual problems or to provide for mutual defense, or to create a nation state for an ethnicity spread over several states. The former was the case with the United States and Switzerland, the latter with Germany. However, as the history of countries and nations varies, the federalist system of a state can be quite different from these models. Australia, for instance, is unique in that it came into existence as a nation by the democratic vote of the citizens of each State who voted "yes" in referendums to adopt the Australian Constitution. Brazil on the other hand, has experienced both the federal and the unitary state through its history; some present day States of the Federation retain the borders set during Portuguese colonization (i.e. previous to the very existence of Brazilian state), whereas the latest State (Tocantins) was created by the 1988 Constitution, chiefly for administrative reasons.
Eight of ten of the world's largest countries by area are governed as federations.
Unitary states
A unitary state is sometimes one with only a single, centralised, national tier of government. However, unitary states often also include one or more self-governing regions. The difference between a federation and this kind of unitary state is that in a unitary state the autonomous status of self-governing regions exists by the sufferance of the central government, and may be unilaterally revoked. While it is common for a federation to be brought into being by agreement between a number of formally independent states, in a unitary state self-governing regions are often created through a process of devolution, where a formerly centralised state agrees to grant autonomy to a region that was previously entirely subordinate. Thus federations are often established voluntarily from 'below' whereas devolution grants self-government from 'above'.
It is often part of the philosophy of a unitary state that, regardless of the actual status of any of its parts, its entire territory constitutes a single sovereign entity or nation-state, and that by virtue of this the central government exercises sovereignty over the whole territory as of right. In a federation, on the other hand, sovereignty is often regarded as residing notionally in the component states, or as being shared between these states and the central government.[1]
