What is a federation?
A federation is a country that is made up of smaller regions or states. Each region has its own local government, but they share power with a central national government.
Key ideas:
- Two levels of government: a national level and regional levels that govern locally.
- A constitution or agreement that describes which powers belong to the central government and which belong to the regions.
- Both levels work together, and the central government handles matters that affect the whole country, like defense, money, and international relations.
- Regions handle local matters like schools, roads, and police in many cases.
Examples of federations include the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, India, and Switzerland. In a federation the central government is strong, but regions keep some independence.
How is a federation different from a confederation? In a confederation the central government has less power and member regions retain most sovereignty; in a federation the central government has clear powers defined in a constitution.