the.com/federation
Many states pretending to share a kitchen while secretly fighting over the thermostat.
means A union of states or groups that hand over certain shared powers (like defense or currency) to a central authority while keeping control over their own internal affairs.
from From the Latin foedus, meaning 'covenant' or 'treaty' — the same root that gives us 'confederate' and 'fidelity.' At its heart sits the idea of a binding pact, a promise sworn between parties, which is why federations are essentially formalized agreements to play nicely together. The word entered English through French (fédération) and gained real political weight in the 18th century, especially around the founding of the United States.
- Latin roots
- From foedus, meaning treaty or pact.
- oldest standing
- Switzerland's confederation dates to 1291.
- sci-fi famous
- Star Trek's utopia runs on it, sans money.
- sports too
- Many leagues call their governing body a federation.
- power split
- Authority divided between central and regional governments.
european union — 27 member states unified under one political and economic union since 1993
united states of america — 50 states federated under one constitution since 1787
russian federation — 83 federal subjects including republics, oblasts, and krais across 11 time zones