34091 - Comparative Federal Systems

Academic Year 2015/2016

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Forli
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in International relations and diplomatic affairs (cod. 8783)

Learning outcomes

The course provides conceptual tools to analyze federalism in a comparative perspective. Students will be able to examine federal dynamics in both classic federations and still unitary states which are experiencing devolutionary federalization.

Course contents

The course is organized in two parts. In the first part, patterns and dynamics of federalism will be analyzed in classical federations (Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and United States). In the second part, the analysis will focus on emerging federalism, with main reference to federalism by devolution (Belgium, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and secessionism.

Readings/Bibliography

A. General readings

1) Baldi, B. (2003), Stato e territorio. Federalismo e decentramento nelle democrazie contemporanee, Laterza, Roma-Bari.

2) Swenden W. (2006), Federalism and Regionalism in Western Europe, Basingstoke and New York: Palgrave-MacMillian

3) Ventura S. (ed) (2008), Da Stato unitario a Stato federale, Il Mulino, Bologna.

B. Further readings

B1. Classical federations

- Braun, Dietmar (2011), How Centralized Federations Avoid Over-centralization, Regional & Federal Studies, Vol. 21, No.1, pp. 35-54

- Erk, Jan (2008), Explaining Federalism. State, society and congruence in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany and Switzerland, Routledge, London

- Hueglin, Thomas (2013), Comparing federalism: Variations or distinct models?, in A. Benz and J. Broschek (eds), Federal Dynamics. Continuity, Change, and the Varieties of Federalism, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 27-47

- Thorlakson, Lori (2003), Comparing federal institutions: Power and representation in six federations, West European Politics, Vol. 26, No.2, pp. 1-22

B2. Federalism by devolution

- Galan Galan, Alfredo (2014), Del derecho a decidir a la indipendencia: la peculiaridad del proceso secesionista en Catalunya, Istituzioni del federalismo, No. 4, pp. 885-908

- Guibernau, Montserrat (2014), Prospects for an Independent Catalonia, International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society, Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 5-23

- Verge, Tania (2013), Party Strategies on Territorial Reform: Statewide Parties and the State of Autonomies in Spain, West European Politics, Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 317-337

- Deschouwer, Kris e Reuchamps, Min (2013), The Belgian Federation at a Crossroad, Regional & Federal Studies, Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 261-270

- Swenden, Wilfried (2013), Conclusion: The Future of Belgian Federalism. Between Reform and Swansong?, Regional & Federal Studies, Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 369-382

- Mastromarino, Anna (2014), Evaporazione vs. solidificazione: la sfida belga, Istituzioni del federalismo, No. 4, pp. 909-938

- Casanas Adam, Elisenda (2014), Self-determination and the Use of Referendums: the Case of Scotland, International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society, Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 47-66

- Leyland, Peter (2014), The Scottish Referendum, the funding of territorial governance in the United Kingdom and the legislative role of the Westminster Parliament, Istituzioni del federalismo, No. 4, pp. 857-884

B3. Federalism and secessionism

- Gardini, Gianluca (2013), Centralismo o secessione: il dilemma (sbagliato) di un ordinamento in crisi, Istituzioni del federalismo, No. 1, pp. 5-28

- Massetti, Emanuele e Toubeau, Simon (2013), Sailing with Northern Winds: Party Politics and Federal Reforms in Italy,West European Politics, Vol. 36, No.2, pp. 359-381

- Anderson, Lawrence (2010), Toward a resolution of the paradox of federalism, in J. Erk and W. Swenden (eds), New Directions in Federalism Studies, Routledge, London- New York, pp. 126-140

- Baldi, Brunetta (2014), Federalismi e secessionismi, Istituzioni del federalismo, No. 4, pp. 963-984

- Erk, Jan and Anderson, Lawrence (2009), The Paradox of Federalism: Does Self-Rule Accommodate or Exacerbate Ethnic Divisions, Regional & Federal Studies, Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 191-202

- Kymlicka, Will (1998), Is federalism a viable alternative to secession?, in Percy B. Lehning (a cura di), Theories of secession, Routledge, London-New York, pp. 111-150.

Teaching methods

Conventional teaching method. At the end of the course three workshops will be organized where students will be required to discuss further readings.

Assessment methods

Grades are based on final paper (70%) and participation to group discussion (30%). For students who do not attend the course an oral examination on the recommended readings: all general readings + two of the three sections of further readings.

Teaching tools

Slide projector for power point.

Office hours

See the website of Brunetta Baldi