question_answer

           Distinguish between 'coming together' and 'holding together' type of federations. Or Distinguish between 'coming together federations' and 'holding together' federations with examples. India comes under which type of federation?

Answer:

                  Coming together federalism involves independent states coming together on their own to form a bigger unit. In coming together, units try to increase their security by pooling sovereignty and retaining identity. The other way in which a federation can be formed is holding together. In this system a large power or country decides to divide its power between the constituent states and the national government. In such a federation, there is absence of pooling sovereignty and retaining identity. In this the Central Government is subordinate to the constituent units. In coming together federalism, all the constituent units usually have a equal power and are strong vis-a-vis the federal government. USA, Switzerland and Australia have a coming together federation. In a holding together federation, the Central Government tends to be more powerful vis-a-vis the states. Sometimes constituent units of the federation have unequal powers, e.g., in India, Jammu and Kashmir was granted special status. India, Spain and Belgium are examples of holding together federations.