Abstract
This chapter introduces the complex relationship between intervention powers and federalism, highlighting the growing relevance of internal intervention within federal systems. This work focuses on the implications of one level of government intervening in another's affairs. Such intervention challenges the principles of self-rule central to federalism and threatens democratic integrity by removing decision-making authority from locally elected bodies. The chapter outlines the inherent tension between the necessity for intervention – often justified by the failure of subnational entities to uphold democratic standards or safeguard citizens’ rights – and the core tenets of federalism that emphasise self-governance. It identifies intervention powers as a critical yet under-researched trend that contrasts with the traditional separation of government levels, aiming to fill the existing research gap in understanding how these powers impact the balance of autonomy and governance within federal systems.