In federal political orders political authority is divided, often constitutionally, between at least two levels so that units at each level have final authority and can be self governing in some issue area

Federalism is the theory or advocacy of federal principles for dividing powers between member units and common institutions. Unlike in a unitary state, sovereignty in federal political orders is non-centralized, often constitutionally, between at least two levels so that units at each level have...

Federalism has received more philosophical attention recently, partly due to renewed political interest in federalism and its dilemmas and opportunities in Canada, Australia and Europe, where federal arrangements are seen as interesting solution to accommodating differences among populations...

Federal political orders often exhibit a conflict between the ideals of equality and political autonomy, since individuals in different sub-units often enjoy systematically different standards of living conditions. While federal arrangements may be theoretically attractive to avoid despotism,...