Federal facts for kids

A federal system describes a way of organizing a country's government. It means that power is shared between a central, national government and smaller, regional governments, like states or provinces. Both levels of government have their own areas of responsibility, but they also work together.

What Does 'Federal' Mean?

The word "federal" often refers to a system where power is divided. Imagine a big team where some jobs are done by the whole team together, and other jobs are done by smaller groups within the team. In a country, the "federal" government is the main, central government. It handles things that affect the whole country, like national defense or printing money.

Federalism: Sharing Power

Federalism is a political idea about how power should be shared. It's a way to make sure that decisions are made both at a national level and closer to the people in different regions. This system helps balance the needs of the entire country with the unique needs of its parts. For example, the national government might set rules for everyone, while state governments handle local schools or roads.

What is a Federation?

A federation is a country or group of states that have joined together under a central government. Each state or region in a federation keeps some of its own power and laws. However, they all agree to follow certain rules set by the national, federal government. Countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany are examples of federations.

The Federal Government of the United States

The Federal government of the United States is a great example of a federal system in action. It has three main parts, called branches:

• The Legislative Branch (Congress) makes laws for the whole country.
• The Executive Branch (the President) carries out those laws.
• The Judicial Branch (the Supreme Court and other courts) interprets the laws.

Each of the 50 states also has its own government. These state governments handle many local issues, like education, local police, and state roads. The federal government and state governments share power and responsibilities, which is a key part of federalism.

Federal Republics

A federal republic is a type of government that combines two ideas: being a republic and having a federal system. In a republic, the head of state is not a king or queen, but an elected leader, like a president. When a republic also uses a federal system to divide power between a central government and regional governments, it's called a federal republic. The United States is a federal republic.