text: Federalism is a political concept in which a group of members are bound together by covenant ( Latin : foedus , covenant ) with a governing representative head . The term `` federalism '' is also used to describe a system of the government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and constituent political units ( like states or provinces ) .
simplified: Federalism is a political philosophy in which a group of people are bound together , with a governing head .