ABSTRACT

Based on a variety of contemporary debates on federal theory Understanding Federalism and Federation honours Michael Burgess’ contribution to the study of these topics through a selection of approaches, theories, debates and interpretations. Gathering contributors from diverse subfields to synthesize current debates it offers a snapshot of the immense range of current research on federalism and federation. Leading authors debate key issues such as American federalism, Canada and the role of Quebec, the latest insights into comparative federalism and federation, the European Union as a federal project and the analysis of constitutional courts in federal systems. Different theoretical and empirical fields and perspectives are brought together, synthesizing major findings and addressing emerging issues and these topics are analysed through multiple lenses to provide new insights, original approaches and much-needed theoretical and empirical data on federalism and federation.

chapter 1|8 pages

Introduction

part I|39 pages

Evolving Federal Traditions and Federal Systems

chapter I 2|20 pages

Comparing Federal Political Systems

chapter I 3|18 pages

Federalism

Essence, Values and Ideologies

part II|163 pages

Charting Federalism and Federations

chapter 5|18 pages

In Search of Constitutional Federalism

American Perspectives

chapter 6|18 pages

Still in Search of the Federal Spirit

The US Supreme Court and Federalism

chapter 7|20 pages

Switzerland

Federalism as an Ideology of Balance

chapter 8|18 pages

Ideology, Political Economy and Federalism

The Welfare State and the Evolution of the Australian and Canadian Federations

chapter 12|20 pages

Poland's German Minority

Accommodation in the Absence of Federalism 1

part III|75 pages

The European Union

chapter 14|12 pages

Federalism in the EU and Canada

chapter 15|20 pages

‘Federal Europe'

Unfinished and Incomplete, but Growing and Further Evolving

chapter III|24 pages

Conclusion

Understanding Federalism and Federation: My Magnificent Obsession