Explaining Federalism: State, society and congruence in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany and Switzerland

This book deals with the theoretical and empirical questions of federalism in the context of five case studies: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany and Switzerland.

The central argument is that in the long run the political institutions of federalism adapt to achieve congruence with the underlying social structure. This change could be in the centralist direction reflecting ethno-linguistic homogeneity, or in decentralist terms corresponding to ethno-linguistic heterogeneity. In this context, the volume:

  • fills a gap in the comparative federalism literature by analyzing the patterns of change and continuity in five federal systems of the industrial west, this is done by an in-depth empirical examination of the case studies through a single framework of analysis
  • illustrates the shortcomings of new-institutionalist approaches in explaining change, highlighting the usefulness of society-based approaches in studying change and continuity in comparative politics.

Explaining Federalism will be of interest to students and scholars of federalism, comparative government, comparative institutional analysis and comparative public policy.

1113968713
Explaining Federalism: State, society and congruence in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany and Switzerland

This book deals with the theoretical and empirical questions of federalism in the context of five case studies: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany and Switzerland.

The central argument is that in the long run the political institutions of federalism adapt to achieve congruence with the underlying social structure. This change could be in the centralist direction reflecting ethno-linguistic homogeneity, or in decentralist terms corresponding to ethno-linguistic heterogeneity. In this context, the volume:

  • fills a gap in the comparative federalism literature by analyzing the patterns of change and continuity in five federal systems of the industrial west, this is done by an in-depth empirical examination of the case studies through a single framework of analysis
  • illustrates the shortcomings of new-institutionalist approaches in explaining change, highlighting the usefulness of society-based approaches in studying change and continuity in comparative politics.

Explaining Federalism will be of interest to students and scholars of federalism, comparative government, comparative institutional analysis and comparative public policy.

52.49 In Stock
Explaining Federalism: State, society and congruence in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany and Switzerland

Explaining Federalism: State, society and congruence in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany and Switzerland

by Jan Erk
Explaining Federalism: State, society and congruence in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany and Switzerland

Explaining Federalism: State, society and congruence in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany and Switzerland

by Jan Erk

eBook

$52.49  $69.99 Save 25% Current price is $52.49, Original price is $69.99. You Save 25%.

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers


Overview

This book deals with the theoretical and empirical questions of federalism in the context of five case studies: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany and Switzerland.

The central argument is that in the long run the political institutions of federalism adapt to achieve congruence with the underlying social structure. This change could be in the centralist direction reflecting ethno-linguistic homogeneity, or in decentralist terms corresponding to ethno-linguistic heterogeneity. In this context, the volume:

  • fills a gap in the comparative federalism literature by analyzing the patterns of change and continuity in five federal systems of the industrial west, this is done by an in-depth empirical examination of the case studies through a single framework of analysis
  • illustrates the shortcomings of new-institutionalist approaches in explaining change, highlighting the usefulness of society-based approaches in studying change and continuity in comparative politics.

Explaining Federalism will be of interest to students and scholars of federalism, comparative government, comparative institutional analysis and comparative public policy.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781134082568
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Publication date: 09/12/2007
Series: Routledge Studies in Federalism and Decentralization
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 192
File size: 304 KB

About the Author

Jan Erk is Assistant Professor of Comparative Politics at the University of Leiden, the Netherlands.

Table of Contents

1. Federalism and Congruence 2. Austria 3. Belgium 4. Canada 5. Germany 6. Switzerland 7. The Political Sociology of Federalism

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews