federalism

noun3

1. •
   A system of national government in which power is divided between a central authority and a number of regions with delimited self-governing authority.

   • Where consociationalism and federalism overlay one another, moreover, the continuity of the latter depends on the stability of consociationalism. — 1995
2. •
   The belief that such a system is superior to other forms of government.
3. •
   Covenantalism.