Vertical Power Sharing

Definition

Vertical power sharing refers to the distribution of authority and decision-making power between different levels of government, such as national, state, and local. It is a fundamental aspect of federalism, which divides power between the central government and subnational entities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Vertical power sharing allows for a balance of power and shared decision-making between the national government and state/local governments.
2. It enables subnational governments to have a degree of autonomy and the ability to address the unique needs and preferences of their constituents.
3. Vertical power sharing can lead to policy experimentation and innovation, as different levels of government can try different approaches to addressing issues.
4. Potential challenges of vertical power sharing include coordination difficulties, conflicts over jurisdiction, and disparities in resources and capacities between different levels of government.
5. The specific division of powers and responsibilities between the national and subnational governments can vary widely across different federal systems.

Review Questions

• Explain how vertical power sharing relates to the concept of federalism.
  • Vertical power sharing is a fundamental aspect of federalism, which divides power between the central government and subnational entities, such as states or provinces. In a federal system, vertical power sharing allows for the distribution of authority and decision-making power between different levels of government, enabling a balance of power and shared governance. This division of powers and responsibilities between the national and subnational governments is a key feature of federalism.
• Describe the potential advantages and disadvantages of vertical power sharing.
  • One advantage of vertical power sharing is that it allows subnational governments to have a degree of autonomy and the ability to address the unique needs and preferences of their constituents. This can lead to policy experimentation and innovation, as different levels of government can try different approaches to addressing issues. However, potential challenges include coordination difficulties, conflicts over jurisdiction, and disparities in resources and capacities between different levels of government. Vertical power sharing can also create complexity in the policymaking process and potential for duplication or gaps in service delivery.
• Analyze how the specific division of powers and responsibilities between the national and subnational governments can vary across different federal systems.
  • The division of powers and responsibilities between the national and subnational governments in a federal system can vary significantly across different countries. Some federal systems may grant more autonomy and decision-making power to the states or provinces, while others may maintain a stronger central authority. Factors such as historical, political, and cultural contexts can influence the specific allocation of powers in a given federal system. This variation in vertical power sharing arrangements can lead to diverse approaches to addressing issues and can also create challenges in terms of coordination and harmonization of policies across different levels of government.

Related terms

Federalism:

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states or provinces.

Decentralization:

The transfer of authority and responsibility for public functions from the central government to subnational governments or the private sector.

Intergovernmental Relations:

The relationships and interactions between different levels of government, including the coordination, cooperation, and competition between them.