Federation
The United States Constitution took effect on the 4th of March 1789. This date marks the beginning of a system where sovereign power is formally divided between a central authority and constituent regions. Each region retains some degree of control over its internal affairs without needing permission from the federal government. The self-governing status of these component states is constitutionally entrenched. It cannot be altered by a unilateral decision from either the component states or the federal political body. Any change requires a constitutional amendment process that involves all parties. Overriding powers of a central authority theoretically include suspending a constituent state's government during gross mismanagement or civil unrest. They may also adopt national legislation that overrides state powers to ensure peace and good government. France and Japan serve as examples of unitary states for many centuries. Their structure differs fundamentally from federations because their autonomous regions exist only at the sufferance of the central government.
Several ancient chiefdoms like the 4th-century-BCE League of Corinth existed before modern nation-states. Noricum in Central Europe and the Iroquois Confederacy in pre-Columbian North America could be described as early federations. The Old Swiss Confederacy was an early example of formal non-unitary statehood. Several colonies in the New World transformed into federal states upon independence such as the United States. Various countries in Latin America followed suit after Spanish American wars of independence. Some of these New World federations failed quickly. The Federal Republic of Central America broke up into independent states less than 20 years after its founding. Argentina shifted between federal, confederal, and unitary systems before settling into federalism. Brazil became a federation only after the fall of the monarchy. Venezuela became a federation after the Federal War. Australia and Canada evolved towards full independence while still part of the British Empire. Germany switched between confederal, federal and unitary rules since the German Confederation was founded in 1815. The Soviet Union was formally a federation of Soviet republics though highly centralized under its government. India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Malaysia became federations on or shortly before becoming independent from the British Empire.
About 40% of the world population lives in a federation today. There are currently 27 federations in existence across all continents. Six federations exist in Africa, six in Asia, and six in Europe. Four federations operate in North America, three in South America, and two in Oceania. Seven of the top eight largest countries by area are governed as federations. Russia has eighty-three federal subjects before the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Brazil shows twenty-six constituent states plus a Federal District. Ethiopia displays twelve regions alongside two chartered cities. Nigeria contains thirty-six states and a Federal Capital Territory. Mexico features thirty-one constituent states with Mexico City. The United States maintains fifty constituent states and one federal district. Canada operates with ten provinces and three territories. Australia consists of six states and ten territories including self-governing ones. Germany includes sixteen states such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen. Nepal established seven provinces after its constitution went into effect on the 20th of September 2015. These diverse structures cover vast geographic areas while managing different ethnic groups.
A confederation is usually limited to a permanent union of sovereign states for common action regarding other states. The European Union represents the closest entity to a confederation at this time. While Canadians use the term Confederation to refer to the formation process since 1867, Canadian provinces are not sovereign. Swiss cantons lost their sovereign status in 1848 despite retaining the name Swiss Confederation. Belgium was founded as a centralized state but gradually reformed into a federal state through constitutional reforms since the 1970s. A growing movement exists to transform Belgium into a looser confederation with two or three constitutive states. Federations differ from unitary states because autonomous regions exist by the sufferance of the central government. In unitary states like Indonesia or the United Kingdom, the central government can revoke subunit independence without changing the constitution. Spain grants more self-government to its autonomous communities than most federations retain. The Spanish parliament suspended Catalonia's autonomy in response to the declaration of independence leading up to the 2017 Catalan election. Some autonomies like Navarre have full control over taxation and spending. South Africa bears elements of a federal system though some argue it functions as a unitary state.
The exact division of power between federal and regional governments is often a source of controversy. Conflicts are frequently resolved through judicial systems that delimit powers of federal and local governments. The relationship between courts varies from nation to nation and remains complex. Another common issue involves conflict between regional and national interests or ethnic group aspirations. Congruent federalism describes federations where each constituent state resembles a miniature version of the whole. Incongruent federalism exists where different states possess distinct ethnic groups. Malaysia expelled Singapore from the federation due to rising racial tension. Internal conflict may lead a federation to collapse entirely as occurred with the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The Gran Colombia dissolved into separate nations after internal strife. The United Provinces of Central America broke apart less than two decades after founding. Civil wars erupted in the United States when southern states sought to protect slavery while northern states opposed it. Nigeria experienced similar conflicts stemming from ethnic divisions. Switzerland faced challenges related to linguistic differences among its cantons. The ability of a federal government to create institutions mediating these differences remains an important challenge for stability.
Argentina established its federation structure in 1853 with twenty-three provinces plus one autonomous city. Australia became a federation in 1901 through democratic votes by citizens of each state. Austria formed nine states including Vienna as a city-state starting in 1920. Belgium created three communities and three regions beginning in 1993 following constitutional reforms. Bosnia and Herzegovina operates with two entities plus one district administered separately since 1995. Brazil maintains twenty-seven federative units including one federal district alongside other states. Canada functions with ten provinces and three territories under a parliamentary system since 1867. Ethiopia divides its territory into twelve regions plus two chartered cities decided by Upper House vote. Germany includes sixteen states such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen within its federal framework. India manages twenty-eight states and eight union territories including a national capital territory. Iraq governs nineteen provinces or governorates after establishing its system in 2005. Malaysia consists of thirteen states and three federal territories under a parliamentary monarchy. Mexico contains thirty-one states with Mexico City serving as the federal capital. Nepal established seven provinces following its constitution taking effect on the 20th of September 2015.
Common questions
When did the United States Constitution take effect?
The United States Constitution took effect on the 4th of March 1789. This date marks the beginning of a system where sovereign power is formally divided between a central authority and constituent regions.
How many federations exist in Africa today?
Six federations exist in Africa today. There are currently 27 federations in existence across all continents with six located specifically on that continent.
What happened to the Federal Republic of Central America less than 20 years after its founding?
The Federal Republic of Central America broke up into independent states less than 20 years after its founding. Some New World federations failed quickly including this specific example which dissolved within two decades.
Which countries became federations shortly before becoming independent from the British Empire?
India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Malaysia became federations on or shortly before becoming independent from the British Empire. These nations transitioned to federal systems during their decolonization process.
When did Nepal establish seven provinces following its constitution taking effect?
Nepal established seven provinces following its constitution taking effect on the 20th of September 2015. The new structure covers vast geographic areas while managing different ethnic groups.