Incongruent Federalism
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Theories of Political Institutions Federal, Confederal, and Unitary States POL 247, Fall 2013 111 Woodang Hall M/W 10:30 am - 11:45 am Federal, Confederal, and Unitary States Questions/Outline • What is federalism? Why federalism? Federal system vs. unitary system Federalism and ethnic conflict • What is confederalism? Why confederalism? Confederal system vs. federal system Federalism Federal system vs. Unitary system • A federal state is one in which sovereignty is constitutionally split between at least two territorial levels (geopolitical division) so that independent governmental units at each level (independence) have final authority in at least one policy realm (direct governance). • States that are not federal are known as unitary states. Clark et al. (2012) Clark et al. (2012) Federal state Brazil Constitution Article 1. The Federal Republic of Brazil, formed by the indissoluble union of the states and municipalities and of the Federal District, is a legal democratic state… Article 25. The States are organized and governed by the Constitutions and laws they may adopt, in accordance with the principles of this Constitution. Paragraph 1 - All powers that this Constitution does not prohibit the States from exercising shall be conferred upon them. “State governments are allowed to pass legislation in any area that is not explicitly prohibited to them in the constitution.” Unitary state South Korea Constitution Article 1 (1) The Republic of Korea shall be a democratic republic. Article 3 The territory of the Republic of Korea shall consist of the Korean peninsula and its adjacent islands. Article 117 (1) Local governments shall deal with administrative matters pertaining to the welfare of local residents, manage properties, and may enact provisions (조례 jorye) relating to local autonomy, within the limit of laws and subordinate statues (법령 beop-ryeong). Federalism Congruent federalism vs. Incongruent federalism Congruent federalism “Territorial units of federal state share a similar demographic makeup with one another and the country as a whole.” ex) US and Brazil Incongruent federalism “Demographic makeup of territorial units differs among the units and the country as a whole.” ex) Switzerland and Belgium Switzerland 4 official language groups – German, French, Italian, Romansch. 22 out of 26 cantons have only one official language; 3 bilingual; 1 trilingual. Federalism Symmetric federalism vs. Asymmetric federalism Symmetric federalism “Territorial units of federal state possess equal powers relative to the central government.” ex) US Asymmetric federalism “Some territorial units enjoy more extensive powers than others relative to the central government.” ex) Belgium, Canada, Switzerland Canada Quebec has special powers to promote and protect its French- Canadian cultures, and has considerable authority over employment and immigration issues, and is the only province to have its own pension plan. Federalism Federalism vs. Decentralization Federalism (federalism in structure) Decentralization (federalism in practice) Share of tax revenue between central and local governments The relationship between central and local governments largely depends on fiscal (de)centralization. Clark et al. (2012) Why federalism? Federal system vs. Unitary system Majoritarian Consensus Power should be Power should be dispersed Vision of democracy concentrated in the hands of among as many political the majority. actors as possible. Executive power Single-party majority cabinet Broad multiparty coalition Executive-legislative Executive dominance Balance of power relationship (Parliamentarism) (Presidentialism) Unitary and centralized Federal and decentralized Central government government government Constitutional Flexible, simple majority Rigid, extraordinary majority amendment Why federalism? Federal system vs. Unitary system Majoritarian Consensus Power should be Power should be dispersed Vision of democracy concentrated in the hands of among as many political the majority. actors as possible. Executive power Single-party majority cabinet Broad multiparty coalition Executive-legislative Executive dominance Balance of power relationship (Parliamentarism) (Presidentialism) Unitary and centralized Federal and decentralized Central government government government Constitutional Flexible, simple majority Rigid, extraordinary majority amendment Why federalism? Federal system vs. Unitary system Majoritarian Consensus effective, accountable (high clarity of responsibility), easy to Goods implement mandate (high inclusive, congruent (benefit) government identifiability), responsive less effective, less accountable (low clarity of responsibility), Bads less inclusive, less congruent hard to implement mandate (cost) (low government identifiability), less responsive Why federalism? Federal system vs. Unitary system Federalism Unitarism effective, accountable, Goods Inclusive, congruent responsive less effective, less inclusive, Bads less accountable, less congruent less responsive Why federalism? Federalism and ethnic conflict • Would federalism promote peaceful coexistence among ethnic groups? Why federalism? Federalism and ethnic conflict Clark et al. (2012) Why federalism? Federalism and ethnic conflict • Would federalism promote peaceful coexistence among ethnic groups? It depends on whether it fosters regional parties. Who riots? Social Network Alexandra Scacco (2008) • Grievances “push” + Social networks “pull” riot • Christian-Muslim riots in Kaduna (2000) and Jos (2001) in Nigeria Who riots? Scacco’s Theory Sacco (2008) Why federalism? Federalism and ethnic conflict (federalism) Poverty (social network) Adapted from Clark et al. (2012) Confederalism Confederal system vs. Federal system • A confederal system (confederation) is one in which states delegate authority in some policy realms to the central government. All the states have their own sovereign powers, and have a right to withdraw from the confederation. More decentralized than federal system. ex) European Union, Confederate States of America (1861–65) Why confederalism? Confederal system vs. Federal system • The Great Debate Federalist vs. Anti-federalist (confederalist) Elitism vs. Populism (Senate) (House) Federalist No. 10 (James Madison) Fear of factions and the tyranny of the majority More power to national government Control the effects of factions prevent the tyranny of the majority Checks and balances prevent the tyranny of the majority Discussion Constitutional design 2 • Federal or Unitary State? • Confederation? .