ABSTRACT
The concluding chapter summarises the book and its key findings, outlining the unique nature of Asian federal systems, notwithstanding their path dependence, and the lessons for blending ethnic accommodation and moderation in ethnically divided societies. Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka are travelling a road to federalism, one that is likely to resolve conflict and build political equality, as an important component of delivering on the peoples’ aspirations for peace, development and democracy. When there is infrastructural capacity, and a moderate secession risk, federalisation follows. Quasi-federalism arises unilaterally, but genuine federalism arises when an alliance forms between democratic change agents and minorities. The experiences of Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka highlight important issues, available innovations and potential lessons for countries grappling with the best way to manage ethnic diversity. Federal design features are related to the interplay of demography (ethnic identity and its distribution) and the secession risk. Hybrid federal institutions build conditions that are more favourable for deliberation, and multiethnic parties at the central level are a critical institution for moderating the potential negative impacts of ethnic accommodation. It is hypothesised that they should be an integral part of bringing deliberation to deeply divided societies.
