Definition of federalism
1a
often capitalized
: the distribution of power in an organization (such as a government) between a central authority and the constituent (see constituent entry 2 sense 1) units
under our system of federalism, states bear the primary responsibility for defining and controlling criminal behavior— W. R. LaFave & J. R. Israel
— compare centralism
b
: support or advocacy of this principle
2
capitalized
: Federalist principles
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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The first known use of federalism was in 1787
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