Federal government

A federal government is the common government of a federation. Examples include:

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• Government of Australia
• Government of Belgium
• Government of Canada
• Government of Germany
• Government of Switzerland
• Government of the United States

The structure of federal governments vary from institution to institution based on a broad definition of federation. Students of federal governments will note that within a basic federal political system, there are two or more levels of government that exist within an established territory and govern through common institutions with overlapping or shared powers as perscribed by a constitution.

Related Topics:
Federation - Institutions - Constitution

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The United States is considered the first modern federation. After gaining independance from Britian, the U.S. adopted its first constitution, Articles of Confederation in 1781. This was the first step towards federalism by establishing the federal congress. Yet, congress was limited as to its ability to pursue, economic, military, and judiciary reform. In 1787, federal congress participated in what is known as the Philadelphia Convention and by 1789, the U.S. was officially a federation.

Related Topics:
Articles of Confederation - Philadelphia Convention

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Other nation-states followed suite in establishing federal governments: Switzerland (1848); Canada (1867); North and South German States (1871) and post WWII (1949); Australia (1901); Austria (1920) and (ammendments 1927) and post WWII (1949).  . . {{ref|Watts}}

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Federal government: See also ►