ABSTRACT
A principal element in federal relationships, both essential to understanding federalism and often not carefully distinguished and recognized, is the symmetry of the federal system. If there is anything of merit in the speculations, it seems clear that much of the ordinary optimism regarding the near magical qualities of federalism can profitably be re-examined. An ideal symmetrical federal system would be one composed of political units comprised of equal territory and population, similar economic features, climatic conditions, cultural patterns, social groupings, and political institutions. In the model symmetrical federal system each state would maintain essentially the same relationship to the central authority. The ideal asymmetrical federal system would be one composed of political units corresponding to differences of interest, character, and makeup that exist within the whole society. Federalism provides the necessary expression and protection. Federalism has been a kind of universal answer to the question of overcoming problems of diversity and disparity in the interests of harmony and unity.
