Federal Political Federal Political SystemsSystems

Nov. 10Nov. 10

OverviewOverview

Definitions and examples of federal Definitions and examples of federal political systemspolitical systems

History of federalism and waves of History of federalism and waves of federalismfederalism

Details of federal political systemsDetails of federal political systems

DefinitionsDefinitions

Unitary StateUnitary State: A state in which sovereignty is : A state in which sovereignty is concentrated at the level of a single centralized concentrated at the level of a single centralized government. Unitary states may be centralized, government. Unitary states may be centralized, decentralized or regionalized.decentralized or regionalized.

The classic example is France.The classic example is France.

Unitary states may have relatively strong regional Unitary states may have relatively strong regional governments, but that should not be confused governments, but that should not be confused with federalism. with federalism.

Federal Political SystemsFederal Political Systems

Federal political systemsFederal political systems “refers to a broad “refers to a broad category of political systems in which, by category of political systems in which, by contrast to the single central source of contrast to the single central source of authority in unitary systems, there are two authority in unitary systems, there are two (or more) levels of government thus (or more) levels of government thus combining elements of shared-rule combining elements of shared-rule through common institutions and regional through common institutions and regional self-rule for the governments of the self-rule for the governments of the constituent units” (Watts, 1999).constituent units” (Watts, 1999).

Federal Political SystemsFederal Political Systems

This term, This term, federal political systemfederal political system, , “encompasses a whole spectrum of more “encompasses a whole spectrum of more specific non-unitary forms” including specific non-unitary forms” including federations, and confederacies.federations, and confederacies.

See Table 11.2, pages 276-277.See Table 11.2, pages 276-277.

DefinitionsDefinitions

Federal StateFederal State: A state where sovereignty is : A state where sovereignty is shared across several levels of shared across several levels of government in which one level may not government in which one level may not intervene in defined areas of competence intervene in defined areas of competence of the other.of the other.

Key points: Key points: neither level is subordinate to the other, neither level is subordinate to the other, each has some genuine autonomy, neither each has some genuine autonomy, neither level can unilaterally abolish the other.level can unilaterally abolish the other.

DefinitionsDefinitions

ConfederationConfederation: “These occur where several pre-: “These occur where several pre-existing polities join together to form a common existing polities join together to form a common government for certain limited purposes (for government for certain limited purposes (for foreign affairs, defence or economic purposes), foreign affairs, defence or economic purposes), but the common government is dependent upon but the common government is dependent upon the constituent governments, being composed of the constituent governments, being composed of delegates from the constituent governments, delegates from the constituent governments, and therefore having only an indirect electoral and therefore having only an indirect electoral and fiscal base” (Watts, 1999).and fiscal base” (Watts, 1999).

Spectrum of Spectrum of unitary and federal statesunitary and federal states

FederationsFederations

Six of the ten most Six of the ten most populous countriespopulous countries are are federations.federations.

Eight of the ten Eight of the ten largest countries by arealargest countries by area are are federations. federations.

All All democracies with populations much larger democracies with populations much larger than 100 millionthan 100 million people are federations. people are federations.

28 countries, home to 40% of the world’s 28 countries, home to 40% of the world’s population, may be considered federations. population, may be considered federations.

Source: Anderson, George. 2008. Source: Anderson, George. 2008. Federalism: An IntroductionFederalism: An Introduction. Don Mills: . Don Mills: Oxford UP.Oxford UP.

Existing [and tenuously Emerging] Existing [and tenuously Emerging] FederationsFederations

ArgentinaArgentinaAustraliaAustraliaAustriaAustriaBelgiumBelgium[Bosnia-Herzegovina][Bosnia-Herzegovina]BrazilBrazilCanadaCanadaComorosComoros[Democratic Republic of [Democratic Republic of Congo]Congo][Ethiopia][Ethiopia]GermanyGermanyIndiaIndia[Iraq][Iraq]MalaysiaMalaysia

Mexico Mexico MicronesiaMicronesiaNigeriaNigeriaPakistanPakistanPalauPalauRussiaRussiaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. Kitts and NevisSouth AfricaSouth AfricaSpainSpain[Sudan][Sudan]SwitzerlandSwitzerlandUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Arab EmiratesUSAUSAVenezuelaVenezuela

Source: (Anderson, 2008)

Confederations: ExamplesConfederations: Examples

HistoricHistoricSwitzerland (for most of Switzerland (for most of the period 1291-1847)the period 1291-1847)

USA (1776-1789)USA (1776-1789)

CurrentCurrentBeneluxBenelux

Caribbean Caribbean Community Community (CARICOM)(CARICOM)

Commonwealth of Commonwealth of Independent StatesIndependent States

European UnionEuropean Union

DevolutionDevolution

In 1999, the United Kingdom devolved In 1999, the United Kingdom devolved powers to the Scottish Parliament, and to powers to the Scottish Parliament, and to a lesser extent, to Wales and Northern a lesser extent, to Wales and Northern Ireland.Ireland.

This has meant the UK has evolved This has meant the UK has evolved towardtoward a federal political system (though it a federal political system (though it should not be considered a federation). should not be considered a federation).

History of FederalismHistory of Federalism

Origins of federationsOrigins of federations

Federations have emerged through the Federations have emerged through the combination (or combination (or coming togethercoming together) of ) of previously separate entities.previously separate entities.Federations have emerged through a Federations have emerged through a process of process of devolutiondevolution of powers. of powers.In some cases, both developments have In some cases, both developments have occurred.occurred.

History of FederalismHistory of Federalism

Historical Precursors and Historical Precursors and InfluencesInfluencesNative Confederacies of Native Confederacies of North AmericaNorth AmericaSwiss Confederation Swiss Confederation 1291-18471291-1847United Provinces of the United Provinces of the NetherlandsNetherlands

Modern FederationsModern FederationsUSA 1780sUSA 1780sSwitzerland 1848Switzerland 1848Canada 1867Canada 1867North German Federation North German Federation 1867, expanded in 1871 1867, expanded in 1871 to include south German to include south German states.states.Australia 1901Australia 190119th – early 2019th – early 20thth century: century: Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, VenezuelaVenezuela

Historic waves of federalismHistoric waves of federalism

First wave, from late 18First wave, from late 18thth to early 20 to early 20thth century, with the creation of new century, with the creation of new countries through the coming together of polities.countries through the coming together of polities.

Second, emergence of post-colonial federations, with both successes Second, emergence of post-colonial federations, with both successes and failures.and failures.

Third, new federations emerging from collapse of Soviet Union and Third, new federations emerging from collapse of Soviet Union and Eastern bloc, with successes and failures. During the same time Eastern bloc, with successes and failures. During the same time period, some unitary states moved toward federalism.period, some unitary states moved toward federalism.

Fourth, most tenuous has been the use of federalism in post-conflict Fourth, most tenuous has been the use of federalism in post-conflict situations. Along with Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo, situations. Along with Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Sudan, federal proposals have been suggested for Ethiopia and Sudan, federal proposals have been suggested for Cyprus, Sri Lanka and Nepal.Cyprus, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

An additional important development is the increasing federalization of An additional important development is the increasing federalization of the European Union, which is somewhere between a confederation the European Union, which is somewhere between a confederation and a federation.and a federation.

Details of Federal Political SystemsDetails of Federal Political Systems

constituent unitsconstituent units

Federations and diversityFederations and diversity

Institutional features of federalismInstitutional features of federalism

Constituent Units within Constituent Units within FederationsFederations

The terminology applied to constituent units varies; The terminology applied to constituent units varies; states (Australia, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Malaysia, states (Australia, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, USA) Mexico, Nigeria, USA) provinces (Argentina, Canada, Pakistan, South Africa), provinces (Argentina, Canada, Pakistan, South Africa), LLänder (Germany and Austria), änder (Germany and Austria), cantons (Switzerland), cantons (Switzerland), regions and communities (Belgium) regions and communities (Belgium) autonomous communities (Spain). autonomous communities (Spain). Russia has regions, republics, autonomous areas, Russia has regions, republics, autonomous areas, territories, and cities of federal significance. territories, and cities of federal significance.

Constituent Units within FederationsConstituent Units within Federations

Existing federations have as few as 2 units or Existing federations have as few as 2 units or more than 80.more than 80.

Russia has 86 units.Russia has 86 units.USA has 50 states.USA has 50 states.Nigeria has 36 states.Nigeria has 36 states.India has 28 states. India has 28 states. Belgium has 3 regions and 3 cultural communities. Belgium has 3 regions and 3 cultural communities. St. Kitts and Nevis consists of 2 islands.St. Kitts and Nevis consists of 2 islands.Bosnia-Herzegovina has 2 entities. Bosnia-Herzegovina has 2 entities. Comoros consists of 3 islands.Comoros consists of 3 islands.

Federations and DiversityFederations and Diversity

Some federations have a Some federations have a largely largely homogenous culture and common homogenous culture and common languagelanguage. They may have regional . They may have regional differences, but federalism is not differences, but federalism is not structured around major ethnic, linguistic structured around major ethnic, linguistic or religious cleavages.or religious cleavages.

Examples: Argentina, Austria, Australia, Examples: Argentina, Austria, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, USA Brazil, Germany, Mexico, USA

Federations and DiversityFederations and Diversity

Some federations are comprised of Some federations are comprised of highly distinct highly distinct cultural, religious, linguistic or national communitiescultural, religious, linguistic or national communities..Some federations have a linguistic, ethnic or cultural Some federations have a linguistic, ethnic or cultural majority but with one large minority (Belgium, Canada) or majority but with one large minority (Belgium, Canada) or several smaller minorities (Spain, Russia). several smaller minorities (Spain, Russia). Some federations have a wider range of languages, Some federations have a wider range of languages, religions, and nationalities (Ethiopia, India, Nigeria). religions, and nationalities (Ethiopia, India, Nigeria). In some cases ethnic, linguistic and religious cleavages In some cases ethnic, linguistic and religious cleavages cut across one another (Switzerland) which can help cut across one another (Switzerland) which can help reduce social polarization. reduce social polarization.

Federations that have SeparatedFederations that have Separated

Yugoslavia Yugoslavia

Czechoslovakia (1920-1992): Czechoslovakia (1920-1992):

split into Czech Republic and Slovakiasplit into Czech Republic and Slovakia

Pakistan (1947-1971): Pakistan (1947-1971):

split into Pakistan (which remains a split into Pakistan (which remains a federation) and Bangladeshfederation) and Bangladesh

BelgiumBelgium

Belgium was founded in 1830 as a unitary state, but a Belgium was founded in 1830 as a unitary state, but a series of constitutional changes from 1970 to 1990s series of constitutional changes from 1970 to 1990s facilitated a process of devolution. Today Belgium is a facilitated a process of devolution. Today Belgium is a federation divided between two major language and federation divided between two major language and cultural groups. cultural groups. ““The Flemish speak Dutch in the province of Flanders The Flemish speak Dutch in the province of Flanders and they are the majority, making up somewhere and they are the majority, making up somewhere between 56 and 58 per cent of the country's population.between 56 and 58 per cent of the country's population.The Walloons speak French and live in the south next to The Walloons speak French and live in the south next to France [in Wallonia]. France [in Wallonia]. To complicate matters, Brussels, the capital, is largely To complicate matters, Brussels, the capital, is largely French-speaking but it lies in Flanders.” French-speaking but it lies in Flanders.” http://www.cbc.ca/news/reportsfromabroad/murray/20071106.htmlhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/reportsfromabroad/murray/20071106.html

Institutional Features of FederalismInstitutional Features of Federalism

A A formal division of powersformal division of powers between levels of between levels of government.government.A A written constitutionwritten constitution that may not be unilaterally that may not be unilaterally amended. Instead it requires consent of a amended. Instead it requires consent of a significant proportion of constituent units to be significant proportion of constituent units to be amended.amended.Intra-state federalism: a federal legislative body Intra-state federalism: a federal legislative body ((bicameralismbicameralism))Inter-state federalism: Inter-state federalism: mechanisms of mechanisms of intergovernmental cooperationintergovernmental cooperation or coordination or coordinationAn An umpireumpire (usually the courts) to rule on (usually the courts) to rule on disputes between governmentsdisputes between governments

Division of PowersDivision of Powers

The division of powers can be fairly The division of powers can be fairly distinct (USA) or involve many shared distinct (USA) or involve many shared powers (Germany).powers (Germany).

Federations can be centralized or Federations can be centralized or decentralized.decentralized. They may certainly evolve over time, the USA They may certainly evolve over time, the USA

and Australia were intended to be and Australia were intended to be decentralized federations, but became more decentralized federations, but became more centralized. The opposite occurred in Canada.centralized. The opposite occurred in Canada.

Intra-State FederalismIntra-State Federalism

Bicameralism: Most federations have two Bicameralism: Most federations have two legislative bodies within the central legislative bodies within the central government.government.

Usually the upper house in a federation is Usually the upper house in a federation is designed to accommodate the constituent designed to accommodate the constituent units. units.

Intra-State FederalismIntra-State Federalism

Upper houses in federations: Upper houses in federations: In some cases, all constituent units In some cases, all constituent units receive receive equal representationequal representation. Argentina, . Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Nigeria, Mexico, Russia, Australia, Brazil, Nigeria, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, USASouth Africa, USAIn other cases, the In other cases, the number of number of representatives per constituent unit variesrepresentatives per constituent unit varies. . Austria, Belgium, Canada, Ethiopia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Ethiopia, Germany, India Germany, India

Intra-State FederalismIntra-State Federalism

Upper houses in federations: Upper houses in federations: In some cases, representatives are In some cases, representatives are directly electeddirectly elected by by the public from constituent units, including the American the public from constituent units, including the American (since 1913) and Australian Senates.(since 1913) and Australian Senates.A A variety of other optionsvariety of other options exist, however. exist, however. Representatives in the upper house may be delegated or Representatives in the upper house may be delegated or selected by state or provincial legislatures (Germany, selected by state or provincial legislatures (Germany, Austria, India, 38% of the Malaysian Senate). They may Austria, India, 38% of the Malaysian Senate). They may even be appointed by the federal government (Canada, even be appointed by the federal government (Canada, 63% of Malaysian Senate). Belgium and Spain also have 63% of Malaysian Senate). Belgium and Spain also have Senators selected through a combination of methods. Senators selected through a combination of methods.

FederalismFederalism

Federalism is used to govern large territories.Federalism is used to govern large territories.

Federalism is used to accommodate Federalism is used to accommodate regionalized differences. This accommodation regionalized differences. This accommodation may be successful or riddled with tensions.may be successful or riddled with tensions.

Where it exists and functions, federalism tends Where it exists and functions, federalism tends to become a crucial defining aspect of the to become a crucial defining aspect of the political system. It shapes political debate and it political system. It shapes political debate and it adds another degree of complexity to adds another degree of complexity to governance.governance.