Meaning, Legislative Lists in Federal States and Reasons for Adoption of Federal System

Federal system of government is a system of government in which the constitutionA constitution is a set of fundamental rules that determine how a country or state is run. More shares political power between the central government and other subordinate units of government.

The power is shared into exclusive, concurrent, and residual lists. Federal states include Nigeria, the USA, Canada, and South Africa.

Different Types of Legislative Lists:

In the federal system of government, the constitution shares political power into the exclusive list, concurrent list, and residual list.

1. Exclusive List: Only the central government can legislate on items on the legislative list. They include defence, currency, police, visa, etc.

2. Concurrent List: Items in this list can be legislated on by both the central and state governments. Items on this list include education, agriculture, transport, housing, etc. In case of conflict in discharging these duties, the power of the federal government reigns supreme.

3. Residual List: This is the leftover power not included in either the exclusive or the concurrent list. In Nigerian federalism, local governments can legislate on these items. Items on this list include customs and tradition, licensing of liquor and vehicles, etc.

Reasons for Adoption of Federalism:

The reasons include:

(i) Large size geographical territory and population.

(ii) Availability of natural and human resources required to operate a federal system of government.

(iii) Existence of marked inequalities and differences or heterogeneous societyThe term society is derived from the Latin word 'socius' meaning friendship or companionship. Society is a community, nation or group of people who share the same traditions, institutions, rules and... More.

(iv) Geographical nearness or contiguity of the federating states is another reason for the adoption of the federal system.

(v) Fear of domination of minority groups by majority groups is another reason.

(vi) The desire for union by the federating units is another reason.

(vii) Historical or colonial experience may have imposed a federal system of government on the state.

(viii) Desire for greater autonomyAutonomy is the control or government of a country, organization, or group by itself rather than by others. More for the units may be another reason.

(ix) The federating units may desire to pull resources together for socio-economic developmentThe process of improving the social and economic well-being of a society or nation it referred to as socio-economic development. It includes the processes involved in improving a society's economic and... More.