Federalism: A Very Short Introduction
Federalism: A Very Short Introduction provides a concise overview of the principles and operations of federalism, the political system defined by power sharing between a national government and its subnational units, from its origins and evolution to the key events and constitutional decisions that have defined its framework. While the primary focus is on the United States, a comparative analysis of other federal systems, including those of Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Nigeria, and Switzerland, is provided. The role of federal government is explained alongside the critical roles of state and local governments. This VSI also examines whether federal structures are viable in an era of increasingly centralized and authoritarian-style government.