Dynamics of Federalism in India

Federalism is a modem concept. The federal idea the plan of government of a number of contiguous territories m association and neither separated nor combined m one is very old and had been practiced in ancient times but it has been employed on a large scale only during the last two centuries. Federalism is the result of historical evolution. The impulses which lead to the form ation of a federation are usually the idea of national unity, the desire to promote common economic interest, the amicable resolution of common problems and considerations of defence and international prestige. A large number of scholarly work has been published on the dynamic aspects of India's federal system. These studies reveals the impact of the dynamics of political dimension such as the party alliances, the Ideological movements, national and regional political leadership, effectiveness of pressure groups and the people's demands. Besides, socio economic conditions are also determining the emerging framework of the centre state relations Among various models of federalism only three models are most important m Indian context i.e. Unitarian federalism, cooperative federalism and bar gaining federalism. There is a distinction of degrees rather than kinds m these models. Some times all these models are visible m a political system m comparison to each other. Of the numerous political factors, such as pressure groups ,elite groups, political attitude and political movements, party system is probably the most important factor in the federalizing process, because now a days India have entered a new era of coalition politics. In fact the relationship between the two levels of the federal system are dependent on the kinds of relationships that the members of the parties at both levels establish with one another. often m the federal system the party members operating the governmental structure at the federal level are copartisans of those operating the structure at the regional level. In such instances , informal party relationships become important for the development and working of the federal system. At other times, the ruling parties at the regional level may be opponents of the party in power at the national level. The rivalry between the parties can be an important factor in determining legislative, financial and administrative relations between both the governments. The essence of federalism lies not m the constitutional or institutional structure but m the society itself Federal government is a device by which the federal qualities of the society are articulated and protected. Federalism provides for the creation of various kinds of unions and the actual shape of a federal scheme depends upon the pattern of social differentiation and working of the party system the party system by determining the urges for maintenance and articulation of local diversities and shaping the consensus formation in a particular way, determine the operational structure of federalism.