A federal republic is a state with a complex structure and a two-tier system of government and legislative activity. This is an association of several territorial entities that have legal and political independence. That is, the state-territorial units of the federation do not have sovereignty, but have sufficiently large powers in the field of domestic policy. Another sign is that none of these republics has the right to freely withdraw from the association.
Federal republics have a republican form of government. In other words, authorities are elected for a fixed term or formed by parliament. The main difference between the republican form of government and other forms is the election of the head of state, no hereditary transfer of power is provided.
Historical examples
Naturally, the USSR is the most striking example. The state lasted 69 years: from 1922 to 1991. The country occupied the largest area in comparison with other states: about 1/6 of the inhabited land of the entire planet.
It was formed on the territory of the Russian Empire, not including Finland, but partially occupying the Polish kingdom and a number of other states. Since 1989, the process of the collapse of the federation began. It was accompanied by sharp resistance and confrontation within both the central government and at the local level. As a result, in March 1991, a referendum was held (only in 9 out of 15 republics). According to the results of the voting, it turned out that for the preservation of the federation, albeit in an updated composition - 2/3 of the voters. But after the August putsch, the authorities could no longer maintain their former borders. In December of that year, a declaration was signed on the termination of the existence of the Soviet Union.
The USSR included 15 republics, for example, the Russian Federal Socialist Republic. This abbreviation was used in relation to an independent state from 1917 to 1922. The name in official documents appeared in 1918. Subsequently, the RSFSR became part of the Soviet Union.
At the level of the Constitution of the USSR, the concept of the Soviet federal socialist republic was introduced in 1936. In the basic law of the country itself, the abbreviation appeared a year later.
Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
This state is also a historical example of a federation. She existed for about 30 years. Although the constitutional law on the Czechoslovak Federation was adopted only in 1969, when the unitary form was abolished and there was a transformation into a federation. There were only 2 republics in the composition - Czech and Slovak. In 1993, the union broke up, and two new sovereign state units appeared - the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Republic of the United Provinces
One of the “oldest” federal republics, which bore the official name, is the Republic of the Seven United Lower Lands. The union lasted quite a long time: from 1581 to 1795. - 214 years old. The Federation occupied no more than 40 thousand km 2 , with a population of about 1.8 million inhabitants. However, it included 9 provinces:
- Holland.
- Geldern.
- Zealand.
- Friesland.
- Utrecht.
- Overijssel.
- Gronigen.
And also the province of Drenthe Landscape. She did not even have a representative in the General States. However, it appeared with a full provincial status and legislative body in its region. The structure also included the General Lands - territories that did not enter into any province, they were led directly by the General States.
Modern realities
Today in the world there are 23 federal states. Republics are presented in the form of parliamentary, presidential, mixed and federal forms.
Presidential republics
A feature of such federal management is that the president plays a significant role in the country. The powers of the head of government and state are concentrated in his hands. One can still characterize this form of government as a dualistic republic. In other words, the executive branch is concentrated in the presidential hands, and legislative activity is left to the parliament.
List of States:
Name | Number of autonomous territorial units | Economy |
Argentina | 23 provinces and 1 autonomous metropolitan area | It is one of the ten largest countries with uranium deposits. In 2014, the country had a technical default, although the head of state completely denied this information. GDP per capita in 2015 is $ 13,425. |
Brazil | 26 states and 1 metropolitan area | GDP per capita in 2014 - 11,281 US dollars |
Union of the Comoros | 4 autonomous islands controlled by France | The human development index in the republic is very low - it takes 169th place. GDP per person last year was about 744 dollars |
Mexico | Composed of 31 states and 1 federal district | In the country, the human development index is quite high - 0.775 and the country is 61st in this indicator |
Federated States of Micronesia | 4 states | The population of the republic is about 105 thousand people. The state is inextricably linked with the United States and there is a high rate of emigration: about 0.28% |
Nigeria | 36 states and 1 capital | Fairly poor country with GDP per capita in 2016 - $ 2,640 |
South sudan | 10 states and there are several disputed territories | Takes the 181st place in terms of living, with an HDI of 0.418 |
USA | 50 states | GDP in 2016 per 1 person - $ 57,220 |
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela | 23 states | In 2017, about 93% of the population complains about malnutrition in the country, and the expected inflation rate is 1000% |
Republic of the Union of Myanmar | 7 states and 5 self-governing zones | 70% of the population is engaged in agriculture. The country has huge natural resources: from gas to gold. State - second after Afghanistan for the illicit manufacture and export of opium |
Somalia | 6 states | Despite constant internal strife, the country manages to maintain the economy at an average level. The main areas - livestock and money transfers |
Sudan | 18 provinces | The main sector of the economy is animal husbandry and oil production, but the HDI is quite low - 0.479 |
Parliamentary States
Federated republics with this form of government are characterized by a preponderance of powers in the direction of parliament. The country's government is responsible for its actions to him, and not to the president.
List of States:
Name | Number of autonomous territorial units | Economy |
Austria | 9 federal states | Very high HDI - 0.881 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2 entities: Federation of Bosnia, Herzegovina and Republika Srpska | In fact, it is considered a confederation - members have the right to terminate the contract with the state and withdraw from the composition at any time |
Ethiopia | Includes 9 regions and 2 city-regions, the division was carried out according to ethnic composition | GDP in 2016 amounted to $ 159 billion |
Germany | 16 equal lands | The HDI as of 2015 amounted to 0.926 - this is 4th place |
India | 29 states, 6 union territories, 1 national metropolitan area | Despite the most ancient history and the fact that the state takes 7th place in the territory, GDP per capita in 2014 is $ 1,626, which is 145th in the world |
Iraq | 18 provinces | Agrarian country, which in terms of standard of living is in 121 place |
Nepal | 5 regions | The standard of living is average. The country has many protected areas and national parks |
Pakistan | 4 provinces, 2 territories of Kashmir, 1 tribal territory, 1 metropolitan area | Since 2000, the country has sustained economic growth |
A country with a federal principle of government
In this list, only 1 country is Switzerland. Despite the fact that the state by size of territories takes only 132th place in the world, the standard of living is quite high. The HDI in 2015 reached 0.917. There are 20 cantons and 6 half-cantons in the republic. In turn, these territorial units can be divided into districts, communities and cities.
Mixed Board
This list is presented by two countries:
- Russian Federation
- Republic of Madagascar.
The form of government involves the achievement of an optimal balance in the powers of parliament and the president.