Federalism Flashcards
Centralism/ Centralists
The tendency of central governments to increase its powers at the expense of regional governments. Centralists prefer a political system where power is concentrated in the hands of a central government and may advocate the abolition of state governments.
Coercive Federalism
A term used to describe an imbalance of power in a federal system, where the central authority effectively dominates the regional level of government. In Australia since WW2 the commonwealth has become financially dominant over the states and can direct spending programs to the states through the use of tied grants.
COAG
A regular meeting of the State Premiers, Territory Chief Ministers and the Prime Minister to negotiate policy issues that involve joint state and Commmonwealth funding or activity. Includes a representative of Australian local government.
State’s Righters / Federalists
Believe that regional governments should have equal or greater power compared to central governments in a federation. Oppose expansion of CW powers.
Horizontal Fiscal Equalisation
State governments should receive funding from the CW such that, if each state made the same effort to raise revenue from its own sources and operated at the same level of efficiency, each would have the capacity to provide services at the same standards.
Vertical Fiscal Imbalance
The situations in a federation where the expenditure of a level of government does not correspond to its own sources of revenue. Eg the CW collects over 80% of revenue but is responsible for less than 50% of government spending.
Opportunistic Federalism
Describes attempts by central governments to increase their powers in response to political crises and swings in public opinion. These extensions of power are responses to events and are unpredictable and not planned.
Mirror Legislation
Identical legislation passed by more than one government to ensure uniform law or policies. Common way of creating uniform rules across Australia. Eg. Gun laws, anti-terrorism laws
Unitary Government
Where a single national parliament makes laws for the entire country. There is no division of powers between a national government and regional governments. The actual operation of some policy areas is delegated by the national government to local governments.
Dual / Coordinate Federalism
Federal arrangement where the central and regional levels of government act independently in their respective spheres. Claimed to be most typical of federal - state relations in first two decades of federation.
Washminster System
The melding of the Westminster System of responsible parliamentary government and a federal division of powers based on the model adopted by the U.S. It is argued elements of the two systems conflict, especially at times of political crises.
