We explain what federalism is, its history and the types that exist. In addition, we explain its characteristics, causes and some examples.
What is federalism?
Federalism is understood as the political doctrine that proposes the creation of a multiple Statediverse, in which various states, provinces, cantons or regions associate to form a single government.
Some of the functions, freedoms and obligations of regional sovereignty are delegated to the central government. This means that Many states come together to form a single country and govern themselves together, but without completely losing their autonomy.
Thus, States governed by federalism present two types of government:
- Regional or federal government. Its action is autonomous but limited to the limits of its province.
- National or federal government. Its operations are country-wide and it is responsible for the exercise of central executive power and the country’s foreign policy.
Something similar happens with justice: there are federal courts and regional courts.
See also: Radicalism
History of federalism
Federalism has its precursor in Alliances between the Hebrew tribes of antiquity or the leagues between city-states of Ancient Greece.
These alliances were often motivated by the need to confront a common enemy.
However, The first theorist of federalism was Johannes Althusius (1557-1638)author of the first theses on federalism and popular sovereignty.
Subsequently, The theme was developed by Hugo Grotius (1583-1645) and above all by Charles de Secondant, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755), author of the most important work of the time on these matters: Law spirit.
In the fight against theocracy in Renaissance Europe, There was an effort to separate the State and the Catholic Churchwhich governed together in the Old Regime of Feudalism. In this context, the federal republic was proposed as an alternative to the Absolute Monarchy State, where the King made all the decisions.
Subsequently, Anarchists would appropriate the term federalism to express their disagreement with the creation of a single, general State, along the lines of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon.
Opposition to centralism
Federalism and centralism are opposite political regimes. Centralism prefers the formation of a monolithic countryas a block, which concentrates all power and responsibilities in a single government.
In that type of regime, the government is exercised over the entire national territory through emissaries (elected by the central power) sent to each province.
On the contrary, Federalism proposes the organized coexistence of States more or less autonomous, which cede only part of their powers to a central power
Types of federalism
Two forms of federalism can be distinguished:
- Symmetrical federalism. Based on equal powers between the federated states. Each of them has exactly the same powers and responsibilities, achieving a more or less homogeneous federal state.
- Asymmetric federalism. Certain federal states enjoy a greater degree of freedom or autonomy than others, usually due to cultural, social or historical reasons.
Decentralization
An important element in federalism is the possibility of decentralizing powerThis means that each province or State exercises the minimum bureaucratic, legal or social powers that guarantee its correct functioning.
This way, Each province operated on its ownwithout requiring the approval or support of the federal government, to the extent possible. This applies especially to the management of justice, the administration of basic services, social and educational decisions, etc.
Causes of federalism
The reasons that various territories or national states may have for associating in a federative entity generally point to:
- The extent of its territory. Federal governments are ideal for large or extensive countries, since the most basic resources and day-to-day decisions can be made independently and expeditiously.
- Differences in the population. Federalist countries are often unions of sovereign states made up of populations that are very different ethnically, culturally or linguistically, so in this political system they can group together without sacrificing their individualities.
- Weakness in the face of a common enemy. Federations often arise as a joint response from weak states or nations that, separately, would be incapable of dealing with a serious situation, such as an enemy or a crisis of some kind, and find that by joining forces they can be more powerful and win.
Weaknesses of federalism
Many federal regimes failed throughout history due to certain internal conditions, such as the constant Frictions between the federal government and regional governments.
Conflicts were often consequence of the imbalance of power in the face of the federal structureThat is to say, some regions were clearly and irremediably more influential in decision-making than others, due to their economic, historical or population importance.
In some cases, Deep inequalities have led to separatismespecially when it comes to nations that do not share language, culture or religion.
Federal Constitution
The first step towards federation is the drafting of a federal constitution: a Magna Carta where the foundations are laid for agreement between the various territories or the various nations that desire a common government.
This document establishes the terms under which the union will take place and the distribution of powers is detailedresponsibilities and freedoms. This is a legal text that goes beyond the regional constitutions with which each state or province decides to govern itself.
Federalists and centralists
At the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century in Latin America, there were numerous clashes between two opposing political tendenciesThey were unable to reach an agreement on the ideal model of country on which to found the young American republics.
This situation eventually led to various civil wars (after the Wars of Independence against Spain), in which those who advocated a federal government and those who preferred a centralist one clashed.
Such was the case of The Federal War (1859-1863) in Venezuelaconflict in which conservatives and liberals (also called federalists) fought to the death for five years
Another example is The Argentine Civil Wars (1814-1880) where the Federal Party and the Unitarian Party clashed on numerous occasions to define by force the model that would govern the Republic.
Differences between federation and confederation
A Confederation allows its constituent members (which may be provinces or national states) to retain large amounts of autonomy, yielding to the central power some of its functions barelyand being able to disassociate at will, with few limitations.
Federations, on the other hand, sacrifice these types of freedoms. in exchange for a more solid and strict global organization. A greater share of autonomy is sacrificed in exchange for a representative government.
Some examples of confederations are the European Union or the State formed by the nations of Serbia and Montenegro.
Examples of federalism
Some cases of federalism exist today in the governments of countries such as Australia, Germany, Burma, Brazil, CanadaUnited Arab Emirates, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Sudan, and Venezuela.
So was the USSR. (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and the Federal Republic of Central America, both of which no longer exist. Another good example, although in a different field, is FIFA, the International Federation of Football Associations.