Federalism

Federalism is a governance system of self-rule and shared rule. It is a state order, which divides and shares power and authority among the national and the regional units. In a federation, the national government (e.g. Austria/Bund) and the member states (e.g. the Austrian Bundesländer) fulfill certain tasks independently from each other and certain tasks together. In federalism, the member states keep a degree of statehood, but are united in an overarching entity, the federation.

Why Federalism?

Bild von Friedrich Schneider, em. University Professor of Economics, Linz
Because modern federalism gives the states and municipalities revenue and expenditure sovereignty in their areas of responsibility. A reform step that would be urgently needed for Austria.

Friedrich Schneider, em. University Professor of Economics, Linz

Bild von Francesco Palermo,
Professor of Comparative Constitutional Law University of Verona
Director - Institute for Comparative Federalism, Eurac Research, Bozen
Because federalism is the most established and effective matrix for managing contemporary complexity.

Francesco Palermo, Professor of Comparative Constitutional Law University of Verona Director - Institute for Comparative Federalism, Eurac Research, Bozen

Bild von Werner Preindl, Payroll accountant
Because Vienna and Brussels are too far away to see all the details for some decisions.

Werner Preindl, Payroll accountant

Bild von Anna Gamper, University Professor of Public Law, Political and Administrative Science, Innsbruck
Because common good-oriented and cooperative federalism creates vertical separation of powers, offers citizens more opportunities for democratic participation and conveys identity in a globalized world.

Anna Gamper, University Professor of Public Law, Political and Administrative Science, Innsbruck

Bild von Wolfgang Sparer, Leiter des Bildungsconsultings
Because a federal state forms a brand on the outside and an identity on the inside. Society and the economy need both: external glamour and internal meaning.

Wolfgang Sparer, Leiter des Bildungsconsultings

Guest commentaries | 07.11.2025

Schwere Geburt


Institutsdirektor Peter Bußjäger beschäftigt sich mit dem aktuellen Gesundheitssystem.
Guest commentaries | 24.10.2025

Faschismuskeule


Institutsdirektor Peter Bußjäger beschäftigt sich mit den „Hand- und Zugdiensten“ in vielen kleineren Gemeinden Vorarlbergs.
Föderalismus Talks | 24.10.2025

Föderalismus-Monitor: Nähe schlägt Ferne





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