Defunct Federalisms: Critical Perspectives on Federal Failure (Federalism Studies) - Hardcover

Kavalski, Emilian; Zolkos, Magdalena

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0754649849 ISBN 13: 9780754649847

Publisher: Routledge, 2008

Synopsis

Since the end of the Cold War the global arena has become a place for dynamic change, in particular for federal political units. The focus on defunct federalisms draws attention not only to the difference between state-making and nation building, it also points to the fact that state-making does not necessarily lead to the creation of a national identity. This comparative volume looks at the track record of several defunct federalisms to identify options that have been overlooked and decisions that precipitated the collapse. Bringing together insights from the study of state failure and federal collapse, it examines the ways in which parallel assessment is crucial for suggesting the complex structures of identity accommodation in federal entities. The volume is ideal for advanced undergraduates and graduate students as well as university lecturers and researchers working on the issues related to contemporary federalism, history of federal units and the questions of national identity.

About this title

About the Author

Emilian Kavalski is Associate Professor of Global Studies at the Institute for Social Justice, Australian Catholic University (Sydney). He is currently working on (i) the encounter of International Relations with life in the Anthropocene, especially the conceptualization of and engagement with non-human actors; and (ii) the nascent Asian normative orders and the ways in which they confront, compliment, and transform established traditions, norms, and institutions. Emilian contends that in both these areas the application of Complexity Thinking has important implications for the way global life is approached, explained, and understood. At the same time, these research foci sketch a prolegomenon to the conceptual contexts of theory-building and policy-making intent on facilitating economic, social, and environmental interactions that promote the well-being of people in ways that are just, equitable, and sustainable. Magdalena Zolkos is the Izaak Walton Killam Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Political Science, University of Alberta, Canada.

Review

'A very timely exploration of why multinational federations collapse. The diverse case studies provide detailed empirical insight and highly informative analyses. Defunct Federalisms makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of this increasingly important issue and offers perceptive prescriptions which will aid scholars and practitioners alike.' Aidan Hehir, University of Westminster, UK 'A comprehensive account of federal failure, based on sound theory and close examination of eleven case studies. The book ventures on considering federal failure as the norm rather than the exception, thus finding a way to give its due to an important aspect of federalism insufficiently studied in the literature. A must for scholars seriously interested in comparative federalism.' Julian Castro-Rea, University of Alberta, Canada 'This volume does more than simply review Beijing's policies, it explains the complexity and contradictions inherent in China's understanding of regional diplomacy. The authors expertly show how China's regional efforts differ from patterns established by Western nations. Anyone interested in the impact of China's growing economic power, military capability, and diplomatic clout will benefit from this unique volume.' Steven Phillips, Towson University, USA

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0754649849
• ISBN 13: 9780754649847
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 220