Professional Documents
Culture Documents
aims
peace
efficiency
definition (I)
"Federalism is essentially a system of voluntary self-rule and shared rule. This is implied in the derivation of the word federal, which comes from the Latin foedus, meaning covenant. A covenant signifies a binding partnership among co-equals in which the parties to the covenant retain their individual identity and integrity while creating a new entity, such as a family or a body politic, that has its own identity and integrity as well. A covenant also signifies a morally binding commitment in which the partners behave toward each other in accord with the spirit of the law rather than merely the letter of the law."
John Kincaid, Professor at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania
definition (II)
"Federalism is the theory or advocacy of federal political orders, where final authority is
divided between sub-units and a center. Unlike a unitary state, sovereignty is constitutionally split between at least two territorial levels so that units at each level have final authority and can act independently of the others in some area. Citizens thus have political obligations to two authorities. The allocation of authority between the sub-unit and center may vary, typically the center has powers regarding defense and foreign policy, but sub-units may also have international roles. The sub-units may also participate in central decision-making bodies. Much recent philosophical attention is spurred by renewed political interest in federalism, coupled with empirical findings concerning the requisite and legitimate basis for stability and trust among citizens in federations. Philosophical contributions have addressed the dilemmas and opportunities facing Canada, Australia and Europe, to mention just a few areas where federal arrangements are seen as interesting solutions to accommodating differences among populations divided by ethnic or cultural cleavages yet seeking a common political order."
Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy
definition (III)
Federalism is a form of political thinking and behaviour with both a social basis
and an historical reference. The social basis corresponds to the character of a federal society, i.e. the sense of community and cosmopolitanism. The historical reference is provided by the stage of evolution of economic and political interdependence. Earlier federations (e.g. the American) consolidated social groups very similar to national ones. The struggle for European federation marks a new stage in the historical process, that in which federalism must overcome national sovereignty itself. The process of European unification is therefore seen as the beginning of a world-wide transition from the national stage of historical development to the federalist one."
Mario Albertini (Il Federalismo. Antologia e definizione, Bologna, 1979) developed a general theory of federalism as ideology; he defines ideology as theform in which the thought deals with the future. Without thinking of the future it is not possible, according to Albertini, to understand and to exercise, in the present, rational choices, deep commitments, and a conscious exercise of responsibility
moral imperatives
toleration cooperation compromise bargaining negotiation reciprocity obligation responsibility
key characteristics
subsidiarity
all decisions in society shall not be made on a higher level than necessary each individual has the right to exercise maximum influence over all matters which concern him/her, limited necessarily by the rights of other individuals the power structure of society must be such that the authority to deal with a problem lies where the problem arises or naturally belongs principles of democracy must be introduced at all levels:
at the place of work in residential communities in educational institutions
federation vs confederation
A system for decision making is a federation (Bundesstaat) if it is itself a state, i.e. a territorial government independent under the law of nations, composed of territorial units with a relatively high degree of autonomy which therefore, or for historical reasons, are also called states and which participate in an ordered and permanent way in the formation of the central government's will. A system for decision making is a confederation (Staatenbund) if it is an entity composed of states, i.e. of territorial governments independent under the law of nations which, together, participate in an ordered and permanent way in the formation of the central entity's will.
institutional vision of EU
european commission = european government
(president elected by the parliament, chooses his own commissioners)
bicameral european parliament composed of the current EP and the council of ministers (council of EU) abolishment of the european council
federal Europe
European reality and culture, which are at the basis of a union in diversity, can only flourish in a federation that, while safeguarding national identity and regional diversity, is capable of creating a community and uniting Europeans around a common project and a common destiny. This is the best way for the European Union to contribute to the security and prosperity of Europe as well as that of humanity.
Sidjanski, Duan (2002): The Quest for a New European Federalism
to sum up
DEMOCRACY and EFFICIENCY
...a model of governance ensuring efficiency in a democratic framework. ...a division of political power between levels of government to achieve the best combination of democracy and effectiveness. ... a system of multi-level governance so that decisions are taken at the most appropriate level, with as much decentralisation as possible and as much centralisation as necessary. ...a theory of political legitimacy since each level of government should have a direct link to the citizens and their interests should be represented at central level. ...a bottom-up political approach to the society based on the principle of subsidiarity, where decisions should be taken as openly and as closely to citizens as possible. ...a means of protecting pluralism and the rights of the individual against an over-powerful government. ...an idea that democracy and the rule of law should apply between states as well as within them.
to sum up
UNITY and DIVERSITY ...a way of managing diversity safeguarding and promoting cultural identities within political entities as vital for their viability and dynamism.
...a model of multi-layered identity reflecting the complexity of human life by taking into account and reconciling multiple identifications and allegiances of citizens. Feelings of belonging to a local community, region and/or country are not incompatible with the identification with and support of supranational and international political entities (such as the EU and UN), but supplement and mutually influence each other.
to sum up
PEACE and UNIVERSAL VALUES
...a guarantor of all human beings' fundamental and inalienable rights. ...a means of preventing war by establishing a means for the peaceful resolution of disputes between states. ...a rejection of the idea that the development of political institutions in human history has come to a full stop with the creation of nation states. ...a political theory promoting solidarity as a precondition for the peaceful coexistence and cooperation within and between states and other political bodies.
to sum up
CONFRONTING MODERN CHALLENGES GLOBALLY
to sum up
UNIVERSAL APPLICABILITY ...a dynamic concept that in spite of the challenges raised by the evolution of society succeeded in adapting to new forms of societal organization resulting in diverse forms of federal arrangements that encompass a large number of countries, regions and populations all around the world. ...a political ideology and means of addressing politics that is not tied to traditional left-right party divisions. ...a realisation that progress both can and must come in stages - think of federalism as a direction rather than a destination!
thats it
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