ABSTRACT
Federalism offers institutions geared toward the accommodation of diverse interests, but it requires a delicate balance as it disperses authority. Whether or not there exists a constitutional basis for the division of power between the central and regional government makes the difference between federalism and unitarism. The cases of Venezuela and Peru illustrate how centralization can vary independent of the federal–unitary distinction. Federalism would appear to be the ideal instrument for the representation of politically significant minorities, such as the indigenous in Latin America. Bicameralism allows federalism to fully express its unique contribution to democratic representation. Federalism traditionally describes the balance of power between a national government and regional governments, but in Brazil federalism involves a tripartite distinction between national, regional, and municipal levels. This chapter evaluates the various constitutional designs that link national and subnational politics, and concludes with a case study of Brazil.
