ABSTRACT
This chapter shows the short introduction to federalism', as this concept plays an important role in the history of the European Union (EU). It analysis the core of federalism, followed by an equally short discussion of the concept confederation' to clarify the differences between the two concepts. The chapter discusses the development of federal thought and action, ending with an attempt to distillate a European federal model. The core of federalism is about two things: independence and politics, territorial politics. Creating a federation is about getting the advantages of being a greater entity, while keeping as much independence for the constituent entities as possible. The Member States are the basis for the federation; normally they have concluded a treaty establishing the federation. In that sense making a federation is often a bottom-up process often' because federalism was imposed in the Ex-Soviet Union and in Ex-Yugoslavia. A federation possesses a certain degree of statehood.
