Very Short Question and Answers - Federalism

Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units like states or provinces.

In a federal system, there are at least two levels of government: the Central Government and State Governments.

The three lists are the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List.

The purpose of dividing powers is to avoid confusion and conflict between different levels of government.

The judiciary, especially the Supreme Court, resolves conflicts between different levels of government and ensures adherence to the Constitution.

The Supreme Court's responsibility is to settle disputes and ensure that all governments operate within the limits set by the Constitution.

Each level of government has its own sources of income; for instance, the Central Government may collect income tax and customs duty.

The Constitution specifies the powers and responsibilities of each government level, acting as a rule book.

The supremacy of the Constitution means that it is the highest authority and no government can contravene it.

A rigid constitution is one that is difficult to change, particularly in relation to the division of powers.

The acronym 'PDF JURC' helps recall the features: Power division, Different governments, Financial separation, Judiciary’s role, Union and state lists, Rigid constitution, Constitution is supreme.

Examples of federal countries include India, USA, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Russia, and Switzerland.

India practices federalism by sharing power between the Union, State, and Local governments, with clearly defined powers in the Constitution.

Unitary systems typically have a single level of government that holds all the power, with local bodies functioning under its control.

The United Kingdom is an example of a unitary country where power is centralized in Parliament.

Yes, states in a federal system can create their own laws, but they must operate within the framework set by the Constitution.

The Concurrent List contains powers shared by both the Central and State Governments, and if conflicts arise, the Central law prevails.

An example of local government in India is the Panchayat for villages.

Financial independence is important in federalism because each level of government needs its own sources of income to function autonomously.

If a state feels the central government is overstepping its powers, it can appeal to the Supreme Court.