federalism

/ˈfɛdərəˌlɪzəm/
noun
  1. A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units, such as states or provinces.
    • Federalism allows states to create their own laws on education while the national government handles defense.
    • In the United States, federalism is a key principle of the Constitution.
    • The debate over federalism often centers on how much power should belong to the states versus the federal government.
  2. The principles or policies of a federal political system, especially support for a strong central government.
    • Critics of federalism argue that it can lead to confusion over which laws apply where.
    • The party's platform emphasizes federalism as a way to balance regional interests.
    • Many countries in Europe have adopted federalism to unite diverse regions.
Antonyms
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