Law 3101A/B Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Bicameralism
Document Summary
Federalism = principle relating to the territorial distribution of power within a constitutional system. Federalism obtains where the component regions of a state have their privileges, especially their participation in federal decisions, set out in the national constitution. Unitary = opposite of federation, where power can be devolved to regions but can also be taken back from them by a decision of central authority without the involvement of the regions themselves. Territory of state is divided into smaller component territorial sub-units. Federalism is a territorial concept: regional autonomy. Sub-units possess regulatory powers and separate institutions which are autonomous with respect to the central authority. In pure" federation, regions would therefore be able to set up their own constitutional system and regulate their own affairs without interference from their national capital: federal supremacy. Federal (national) law has supremacy over the law of the sub-units.
