Federalism is a political concept in which group members are bound by the agreement (Latin: foedus, covenant) with the head of government representatives. The "federalism" This term is also used to describe the system of government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between central governing authority and constituent political units (like states or provinces). Federalism is a system based on democratic rules and institutions in which the right to organize and divided between national and provincial / state, creating what is often called a federation. Proponents are often called federalists.
In Europe, "federalist" is sometimes used to describe those who support the federal government generally, with power shared at the regional, national and supranational. Most European federalists want this development continues in the European Union. Federalism comes from the European post-war Europe; one of the more important initiatives are Winston Churchill's speech in Zurich in 1946.
In Canada, federalism typically implies opposition to sovereigntist movements (most often Quebec separatism).
Government of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, India and Mexico, among others, were also held with federalist principles.
Federalism can include at least two or three internal divisions, as in Belgium or Bosnia and Herzegovina. In general, the two extremes of federalism can be distinguished: on one extreme, a strong federal state almost entirely of unity, with the power of some earmarked for local governments, while on the other hand, national governments may be a federal state in name only, became a confederation in actuality.
In 1999, the Government of Canada to form the Federation as an international networking forum for the exchange of best practices between federal and federalizing state. Headquartered in Ottawa, the Forum of government partners include the Federation of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Mexico, Nigeria and Switzerland.
Some Christian denominations held on federalist principles, the churches are known as clergy or theological federalism.
