Germany

Germany operates as a federal parliamentary republic with significant powers devolved to its 16 Länder (states). The Basic Law (Grundgesetz) was deliberately designed after WWII to prevent concentration of power, creating robust checks and balances. The Bundesrat, representing state governments, gives Länder direct influence over federal legislation.

German federalism demonstrates how redundancy and distribution create resilience. The 'social market economy' model attempts to balance market efficiency with social protection, reflecting biological principles of sustainable resource use.