Q: What are examples of small and large countries that have adopted federalism?

A: Large countries that have adopted the federal system include the United States, Australia, Canada, India, Brazil, Argentina and Russian Federation. Smaller countries include Belgium, Pakistan and Switzerland.

Q: Will one vote be less decisive in a federal system?

A: If we define voting as a participatory activity in determining political choices, one vote is more effective in small than in large political units. It will also be easier for one person or small group to organize a potentially winning political group in a localized community than in a large and complex polity.

Q: Is federalism compatible with either a presidential and parliamentary form of government?

A: Yes, federalism is compatible with both presidential and parliamentary forms of government. Examples of countries that have a presidential form of government and a federal system are United States, Venezuela and Mexico. Examples of countries that have a parliamentary form of government and a federal system are Australia, Germany, India and Malaysia.

Q: Will a federal system cost more to run than a unitary system?

A: The cost of running a government depends at the stage of a nation’s economic development and, not entirely on the system of governance.

Q: How can the shift to a federal system be effected?

A: The shift from a unitary system to a federal system can be effected through amendments of the Constitution.