Definition of federation

The word "federation" derives from the Latin word "foedus," meaning a treaty or alliance between political entities. During the Middle Ages, this term was used to describe the relationship between a ruling monarch and their vassals, who pledged their allegiance under a certain set of obligations. In the late 19th century, the concept of a federal system emerged as a solution for maintaining the autonomy and independence of smaller regions within a larger political entity. The idea was strongly influenced by the success of the United States of America, which united a number of self-governing states into a single federal system. The notion of federation gained popularity in Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as various ethnic and linguistic groups sought greater autonomy within larger, multi-ethnic states. In Russia, the term "federation" was especially widely used to describe proposals for granting greater political rights and self-governance to the many non-Russian nationalities within the empire. These calls grew particularly strong in the aftermath of the Revolutions of 1917, which resulted in the creation of the Soviet Union as a federal state comprising numerous autonomous republics. The word "federation" also appears in the names of several international organizations founded in the early 20th century, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the League of Nations, which sought to promote international peace and cooperation. In general, the term "federation" continues to be used to describe political entities that seek to balance the need for centralized governance with the decentralization of power to sub-national or regional authorities.