Collaborative Federalism

Famously, federalism combines self‐rule with shared rule[Note 1. DJ Elazar, (ed) 1991 Constitutional Design and Power‐Sharing in ...] or unity with diversity.[Note 2. KC Wheare, 1963 Federal Government, 4th edn, Oxford, pp.35–36; ...] Typically, the mix is achieved by creating or preserving two levels of government, each with a direct relationship with the people, and by dividing power between them. Traditionally, unity is achieved through the exercise of power by the central government, in relation to the polity as a whole. Diversity is the consequence of the exercise of power by sub‐national governments over a portion of the population, generally territorially identified. The boundaries of power between the two spheres are secured by entrenching them in a written Constitution established as fundamental law, which is interpreted and applied by a court or courts.