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• federalism
  federalism

  noun

  the federal principle of government.
• Federalism
  Federalism

  noun

  history the principles and policies of the Federalist party

federalism

American  

[fed-er-uh-liz-uhm] / ˈfɛd ər əˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. the federal principle of government.

2. U.S. History.

   1. advocacy of the federal system of government.

   2. (initial capital letter) the principles of the Federalist party.

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federalism ¹ British  

/ ˈfɛdərəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the principle or a system of federal union

2. advocacy of federal union

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Federalism ² British  

/ ˈfɛdərəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. history the principles and policies of the Federalist party

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federalism Cultural  

1. A system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and various regional governments. As defined by the United States Constitution, federalism is a fundamental aspect of American government, whereby the states are not merely regional representatives of the federal government, but are granted independent powers and responsibilities. With their own legislative branch, executive branch, and judicial branch, states are empowered to pass, enforce, and interpret laws, provided they do not violate the Constitution. This arrangement not only allows state governments to respond directly to the interests of their local populations, but also serves to check the power of the federal government. Whereas the federal government determines foreign policy, with exclusive power to make treaties, declare war, and control imports and exports, the states have exclusive power to ratify the Constitution. Most governmental responsibilities, however, are shared by state and federal governments: both levels are involved in such public policy issues as taxation, business regulation, environmental protection, and civil rights.

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The precise extent of state and federal responsibility has always been controversial. Republican administrations, for example, have tended to grant more authority to the states, thereby encouraging political and economic freedom but discouraging comprehensive social welfare. Until the middle of the twentieth century, the Supreme Court left the interpretation of many civil rights guarantees to the states, resulting in widespread discrimination against minorities.

Other Word Forms

• federalist
  noun
• federalistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of federalism

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90; federal + -ism

Compare meaning

How does federalism compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• federalism vs. Antifederalist

Explanation

Federalism is a system of government in which entities such as states or provinces share power with a national government. The United States government functions according to the principles of federalism. The U.S. political system evolved from the philosophy of federalism. Remember The Federalist Papers, the essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison between 1787 and 1788, to convince people to approve the Constitution? Federalism helps explain why each state has its own constitution and powers such as being able to choose what kind of ballots it uses, even in national elections. The national government oversees the election results, but each state controls its own voting procedures.

Example Sentences

"Argentina, beyond the rhetoric and due to its federalism, attempts something similar," he says.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

The stakes in the case go beyond oil drilling to bedrock federalism principles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

"We want federalism for the Syrian coast," she added.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

Originalists also emphasize the role of federalism as a core constitutional principle.

From Salon • Oct. 3, 2025

As Jefferson put it so graphically, their larger goal was “to sink federalism into an abyss from which there shall be no resurrection of it.”

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis