Class 10 Political Science/ Civics Chapter 2- Federalism Notes

 

Class 10 Political Science/ Civics

Chapter 2- Federalism

Notes

1. Introduction

In the preceding chapter, you explored how the distribution of authority among various tiers of government is a significant aspect of power sharing in contemporary democracies. In this chapter, we delve into the concept and application of federalism within the context of India. As you progress, you will gain insights into the theory and practical implementation of federalism in India. Additionally, towards the conclusion of this chapter, we will examine the emergence of local government as a novel and third tier of federalism in the Indian political landscape.

2. Federalism

Federalism refers to a governmental structure where authority is divided between a central governing body and multiple constituent units within the nation. Within a federation, there exist two distinct levels of government, each exercising its powers autonomously from the other.

1. The first level of government encompasses the national administration, responsible for managing subjects of common national interest across the entire country.
2. The second level consists of regional or state governments, entrusted with the daily administration and governance of their respective states or provinces.

3. Key Characteristics of Federalism

Federalism encompasses several defining features:

a)    Multiple Tiers of Government: A federal system involves two or more levels (or tiers) of government operating within the same country.

b)    Distinct Jurisdictions: Each tier of government governs the same citizens, yet possesses its own jurisdiction over specific matters related to legislation, taxation, and administration.

c)    Constitutional Guarantees: The existence and authority of each tier of government are constitutionally enshrined, providing a legal framework for their functions.

d)    Consent for Constitutional Amendments: Fundamental provisions of the Constitution cannot be unilaterally altered by one level of government. Amendments require the consent of both tiers of government.

e)    Judicial Oversight: Courts hold the authority to interpret the Constitution and delineate the powers of different levels of government, ensuring adherence to constitutional principles.

f)     Financial Autonomy: Revenue sources for each level of government are clearly defined to uphold financial independence and autonomy.

g)    Dual Objectives: Federalism aims to achieve two primary goals: i) Safeguarding and fostering national unity, and ii) Accommodating and respecting regional diversity within the country.

4. Difference Between Unitary System and Federal System

In a unitary system, governance is centralized, with only one level of government existing, and all subordinate units are under the authority of the Central Government. This means that the Central Government holds supreme authority and can issue directives to provincial or local governments as it sees fit. Additionally, administrative divisions within the unitary system exercise powers that are delegated by the central government, and these powers can be broadened or limited by the central authority based on its discretion.

On the other hand, in a federal system, there are multiple levels, or tiers, of government. These tiers coexist alongside each other, with neither being subordinate to the other. Unlike in a unitary system, the Central Government in a federal system does not possess the authority to mandate actions to state governments. Instead, state governments hold inherent powers that are independent of the central authority and for which they are not answerable to the central government. This decentralized structure ensures that powers are shared between the different levels of government, with each level possessing its own distinct sphere of authority and autonomy.

5. Different Approaches to Establishing

Federations The formation of federations relies on two fundamental aspects: mutual trust among government entities at various levels and a shared commitment to coexist. There are two primary routes through which federations have historically emerged:

a)    Voluntary Association: This route involves independent states voluntarily joining together to form a larger political entity. Known as a "coming together" federation, this model is exemplified by nations like the United States, Switzerland, and Australia.

b)    Division of Powers: In this approach, a large country opts to distribute its authority between constituent states and a central national government. Termed a "holding together" federation, this method is practiced in countries like India, Spain, and Belgium.

6. What Defines India as a Federal Nation?

 India's federal character is underpinned by the provisions of its Constitution, which embody key features of federalism. The Indian Constitution delineates a three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union Government and State Governments, categorized into three lists:

a)    Union List: Encompasses subjects of national significance such as defence, foreign affairs, banking, and currency, over which only the Union Government possesses legislative authority.

b)    State List: Includes matters of state and local importance such as police, trade, agriculture, and irrigation, over which only State Governments hold legislative jurisdiction.

c)    Concurrent List: Consists of subjects of mutual interest to both Union and State Governments, such as education, forests, and marriage. Both levels of government can legislate on items within this list, with Union laws prevailing in case of conflicts.

7. Practicing Federalism in India

The efficacy of federalism in India is underscored by its democratic ethos, manifested in various ways:

a)    Linguistic States: The creation of linguistic States represents a significant aspect of democratic politics in India. Over the years, numerous old States have been reconfigured or replaced by new ones based on linguistic considerations, reflecting the diverse linguistic landscape of the nation.

b)    Language Policy: India's language policy acknowledges Hindi as the official language alongside 21 other languages recognized as Scheduled Languages by the Constitution. Moreover, each State has its own official language for government proceedings.

c)    Centre-State Relations: Strengthening Centre-State relations has been instrumental in bolstering federalism in India. Coalition governments formed at the Centre, involving major national parties and regional parties, exemplify a culture of power sharing and respect for State Governments' autonomy when no single party secures a clear majority in the Lok Sabha.

8. Decentralisation in India

Decentralisation refers to the transfer of power from central and state governments to local government bodies. This concept is rooted in the belief that many problems and issues are best addressed at the local level, where community members can directly participate in decision-making processes.

A significant stride towards decentralisation occurred in 1992 when the Constitution was amended to empower the third tier of democracy. The key features of this three-tiered democratic structure include:

a)    Mandated Local Elections: Regular elections for local government bodies are constitutionally mandated, ensuring democratic representation at the grassroots level.

b)    Reserved Seats: Seats in elected bodies and executive positions within these institutions are reserved for marginalized communities such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and women.

c)    Women's Representation: At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women, promoting gender equality and women's participation in governance.

d)    State Election Commissions: Each state has established a State Election Commission responsible for conducting elections for panchayats and municipalities, ensuring fair and transparent electoral processes.

e)    Power and Revenue Sharing: State governments are obligated to share certain powers and revenue with local government bodies, although the specifics of this sharing arrangement vary from state to state.

9. Panchayati Raj System

The rural local government system, known as Panchayati Raj, operates at the grassroots level in India. Each village, or a cluster of villages in some states, is represented by a gram panchayat comprising ward members, or "panches," and a president, or sarpanch, who are directly elected by the adult population.

The Gram Panchayat functions under the oversight of the Gram Sabha, comprising all eligible voters in the village. The Gram Sabha convenes at least twice or thrice a year to approve the gram panchayat's annual budget and review its performance.

Multiple Gram Panchayats are grouped together to form a Panchayat Samiti, Block, or Mandal, with representatives elected by members of the respective Gram Panchayats. These Panchayat Samitis collectively constitute the Zilla Parishad at the district level, with members including Lok Sabha representatives, MLAs, and officials from other district-level bodies.

10.Local Governments in Urban Areas

Just as Gram Panchayats cater to rural regions, urban areas are served by Municipalities, with larger cities organized into Municipal Corporations. Both Municipalities and Municipal Corporations are governed by elected bodies comprising representatives chosen by the people. The Municipal Chairperson serves as the political head of the Municipality, while in a Municipal Corporation, this role is fulfilled by the Mayor.

This novel system of local governance represents one of the most extensive experiments in democracy worldwide. Granting constitutional status to local government entities has significantly enhanced the democratic fabric of our nation, fostering greater representation and amplifying the voices of women within our democratic framework.