Federalism refers to a system of government in which power is divided and shared between a central authority and individual constituent political units, such as states or provinces. This system allows for a degree of autonomy for sub-national entities while still maintaining a central government with specific powers and authority. Research in federalism typically focuses on the distribution of power and resources between different levels of government, the impact of federal systems on governance and public policy, the effectiveness of intergovernmental relations, and the implications of federalism for democracy and political stability. Scholars in this field may also study the historical development of federal systems, the comparative analysis of different federal models, and the challenges and opportunities associated with federal governance in diverse contexts.