What is Federalism? Mention its advantages for a country like India.

Instructions: Power sharing, ensures decentralisation, ensures diversity and smooth administration.

Solution: Federalism is a form of government in which power is shared at various levels of government.

• In India, power is shared between the Central, State and Local Governments at the Panchayat level.

Advantages of Federalism-

• Decentralisation of Power- The power sharing at various levels makes it difficult for a single organ to misuse the power.
• Smooth Administration- Governing a vast country like India from a single capital city will lead to the neglect of the people in far flung areas. Hence, federalism has ensured smoother administration.
• Ensures Diversity- The power sharing allows people from diverse backgrounds to become a stakeholder in decision making. It ensures that diverse views are taken into account while the decisions are made.