Federalism is the form of government in which all subjects of the federation have a sufficient degree of autonomy, but cannot unilaterally disconnect.
Federalism is more democratic than unitarianism. Its democracy lies in the fact that federalism involves the decentralization of power, guaranteeing freedom from dictatorship. At the heart of federalism is the issue of relationships. When different groups of people speaking different languages, professing different religious beliefs and cultural norms agree to live within the constitutional framework, they expect to have a certain share of local autonomy, as well as equal social and economic opportunities. The federal system of government divides power between local, regional, and national levels. Officials at various levels implement policies adapted to regional and local needs, and at the same time interact with the national government to resolve common problems facing the country. Such a system of separation of powers gives the opportunity for prompt decision-making and the results are felt almost immediately in the local communities and at higher levels of government. Federalism encourages citizenship, allows citizens to participate in public administration. Citizens have the right to apply for posts in local and regional governments. The federal system has a constitution that gives authority and defines the scope of the division of responsibilities at each level of government. Local governments work to meet local needs, resolve issues related to firefighters, police, local government, school administration, and so on. The national government decides on defense issues, international agreements, and the federal budget. The most significant and defining principles of federalism: - the principle of sovereignty of the federation; - The principle of unity of state power; - The principle of voluntary association of entities; - The principle of equality of subjects; - The principle of separation of powers between entities and the federation; - The principle of unity of economic and legal space; - The principle of equal rights of peoples. The following models of federalism are distinguished: According to the method of education, allied and decentralized models. Allies are formed between several states as a result of a treaty. Decentralized ones are created as a result of the transformation of a unitary system into a federal one on the basis of a legal act or by contract. By the presence of subordination - on the centralized and decentralized. Centralized federalism implies the priority of national interests over the interests of members of the federation. The decentralized is provided by the contract, and power is distributed between its cells, that is, a combination of national interests with the interests of the territories is observed. By the nature of the interdependence of the subjects of the federation - dualistic and cooperative models. Dualistic federalism presupposes a strictly fixed division of powers between the center and the subjects. The cooperative model of federalism excludes hierarchy, the interaction of the parties is achieved by contractual procedures.
