Definition of federalism
1 a
often capitalized
:the distribution of power in an organization (such as a government) between a central authority and the constituent (see 2constituent 1) units
- under our system of federalism, states bear the primary responsibility for defining and controlling criminal behavior
- —W. R. LaFave & J. R. Israel
b
:support or advocacy of this principle
2
capitalized
:Federalist principles
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