Introduction

Federalism involves a kind of division of sovereignty, but in practice the governments of federal states tend to assume that they have a kind of super-sovereignty, over and above that of the constituent parts of the federation. The original meaning of 'federal' however implies the sovereignty of the initial treaty, setting up the political entity which includes all the constituent parts, each with their own state government. There is a recurrent tendency of both political thinkers and practical administrators in central governments to reify the concept of sovereignty and run away from the creation of effective regional institutions within the state. The original meaning of 'federal' however implies the sovereignty of the initial treaty, setting up the political entity which includes all the constituent parts, each with their own state government. The central government will be responsible for the military defence of the whole area through its own armed forces.