Final answer:
The process of modifying the structure of power-sharing in a federal system's constitution is known as federalization, which can lead to centralization or decentralization. Federalization reflects changes in the balance of power between national and state or subnational entities, like the decentralization in the UK or centralization of specific powers in the U.S.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of changing the basic structure of power-sharing in a constitution within a federal system is known as federalization. This is a complex process that often involves amending the constitution to reallocate powers between the central and state governments. Federalization can lead to either an increase in the powers of national government (centralization) or the powers of subnational entities (decentralization), depending on the direction of the change. Decentralization is exemplified by the change that occurred in the United Kingdom in the late 1990s when regional governments were formed in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland through a process called devolution.
Further examples of decentralization in unitary states are seen in France, Japan, and Sweden. Meanwhile, centralization refers to the process of concentrating powers in the hands of the national government, such as the sole authority to print money in the United States. Federalism, which is the sharing of power between a central government and states, provinces, or local governing bodies, as seen in countries like the United States, Canada, and Germany, can change over time. These changes can reflect shifting dynamics between state and federal power based on historical factors, political decisions, and societal needs.