What is the difference between Federal parliamentary democracy and a normal democracy?

Answer 1

In a Federal democracy, whether parliamentary or presidential, the country is divided into regions which retain substantial powers of self government, while the federal government manages non-local matters such as defense, customs and Immigration, currency and other matters. These regions are often called States or Provinces, select their own legislatures and chief executives, and exercise their own police powers wihtin their borders. The division of specific powers between the federal and regional governments is different in each country and is often a matter of contention.

The alternative is a unitary democracy, where the central national government appoints administrators for designated regions. Most governing power resides in the central government, which often exercises police powers at both national and local levels, and manages defense, immigration, currency, education, and other services from national Ministries.