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fed·er·al·ism /'fe-drə-ˌli-zəm, 'fe-də-rə-/ n often cap: distribution of power in a federation between the central authority and the constituent units (as states) involving esp. the allocation of significant lawmaking powers to those constituent units compare comity, full faith and credit, states' rights
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.
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n.The federal system of government, including a division of power between a central government and individual states, in which states handle local affairs and the central government handles matters that affect the entire nation.
The Essential Law Dictionary. — Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. Amy Hackney Blackwell. 2008.
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a system of government whereby there are at least two levels of government operating simultaneously, exercising autonomous powers. Under such a system the constitution must, and usually does, specify which level of authority has power in which areas and should provide a method of resolving jurisdiction-al disputes.The central or senior body is often called the federal government, although any name may be used, but there are many names for the political groupings on the next level, e.g. states, provinces, Länder or cantons. The precise allocation of responsibilities and powers varies infinitely, but usually the higher-level body deals with matters such as foreign policy and macroeconomics. Depending upon history, the power may have developed to the lower levels or come together in the higher level (when sometimes the word confederation is used).The USA, Canada, Australia, Germany and Switzerland are examples of federal arrangements. The UK is not a federation, although every so often proposals are made for varying degrees of devolution that might inevitably lead to a federal arrangement. The European Union is not a federation because the Union institutions are supreme in the (limited) areas over which the member states irrevocably gave them jurisdiction, making the European Union a supranational body. The Court of Justice of the European Communities decides points of Community law applicable in all the member states. In recent years, however, there has been discussion among commentators of the possibility that continued expansion may mean that a federal arrangement would be needed to cope with the diversity of views and cultures at national level. See also constitutional law.
Collins dictionary of law. W. J. Stewart. 2001.
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n. Generally, the allocation of authority and responsibility to the different levels of government in a federal system.
Webster's New World Law Dictionary. Susan Ellis Wild. 2000.
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Federalism is a principle of government that defines the relationship between the central government at the national level and its constituent units at the regional, state, or local levels.Under this principle of government, power and authority is allocated between the national and local governmental units, such that each unit is delegated a sphere of power and authority only it can exercise, while other powers must be shared.
Dictionary from West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005.
- federalism
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Federalism is a principle of government that defines the relationship between the central government at the national level and its constituent units at the regional, state, or local levels.Under this principle of government, power and authority is allocated between the national and local governmental units, such that each unit is delegated a sphere of power and authority only it can exercise, while other powers must be shared.
Short Dictionary of (mostly American) Legal Terms and Abbreviations.
