A Federal Government is a system in which power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units (states or provinces). Key features of a federal system include:
- (A) Distribution of powers:
Powers and responsibilities are constitutionally divided between the central government and the states, each having sovereignty in certain areas.
- (B) Centralization of powers:
This is *not* a feature of federalism. Centralization means concentration of power in one central authority, which is characteristic of a unitary system, not a federal one.
- (C) Supreme judiciary:
Federal systems usually have an independent and supreme judiciary to resolve disputes between the central and state governments and uphold the constitution.
- (D) Rigid constitution:
Federal constitutions are generally rigid, meaning they cannot be amended easily and require special procedures to protect the division of powers.