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 Andreas Cia, Social educator
Because local people are best able to assess their needs and then make the right decisions for them.

Andreas Cia, Social educator

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 Greta Lukasser, Student
Because politics and authorities in their own federal state are closer to the needs of the people

Greta Lukasser, Student

Bild von Hans Unterdorfer, Member of the Executive Board, Corporate Clients, Erste Bank
Because only well-maintained regional structures make true customer proximity possible. For local banks, this proximity is essential because personal advice on site is and remains the core of their work.

Hans Unterdorfer, Member of the Executive Board, Corporate Clients, Erste Bank

Bild von Sophia Steinlechner, Kindergarten teacher
Because there must be offerings in elementary education that are tailored to local needs.

Sophia Steinlechner, Kindergarten teacher

Publication series | 07.05.2026

50 Jahre Forschung für Vielfalt. Beiträge zum Festakt sowie zur Ringvorlesung „50 Jahre Institut für Föderalismus“


Band 143 der Schriftenreihe des Instituts ist erschienen.
Guest commentaries | 20.04.2026

Schule als Staatsgeheimnis?


Institutsdirektor Peter Bußjäger beschäftigt sich mit der geplanten Veröffentlichung der Leistungsdaten von Schulen.
Guest commentaries | 07.04.2026

Kassasturz


Institutsdirektor Peter Bußjäger beschäftigt sich mit dem Budgetdefizit und den föderalen Strukturen.



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