Federalism
A system that divides power between a central national government and constituent states, provinces, or regions — neither side can entirely override the other.
Origin
Modern federalism was substantially invented by the framers of the US Constitution (1787), who needed to design a system stronger than the failed Articles of Confederation without giving so much power to the center that the original states would refuse to ratify. The Federalist Papers (1787–88) by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay are the foundational defense. Other federal systems: Germany, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, Switzerland. Each handles the central-vs-regional balance differently and argues about it constantly. The opposite is a unitary state (France, Japan), where the central government can override or restructure regional bodies at will.
Modern usage
Everyday US political vocabulary — 'states' rights,' 'the federal government,' 'leave it to the states.' Outside the US, the term is much less common in casual speech. EU-skeptic arguments about Brussels often invoke federalism (positively or negatively). 'Devolution' is the parallel term for the UK case.
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