Comparing Intergovernmental Relations and Cooperative Mechanisms in Federal Systems: An Introduction

Johanne Poirier 

McGill University - Faculty of Law

Cheryl Saunders 

Melbourne Law School

July 31, 2015

in POIRIER, Johanne, SAUNDERS, Cheryl et KINCAID, John (eds.), Intergovernmental Relations in Federal Systems: Comparative Structures and Dynamics, Oxford University Press, 2015, pp 1-13 

Abstract:    
This chapter is the introduction of Intergovernmental Relations in Federal Systems: Comparative Structures and Dynamics, a volume that identifies and compares mechanisms of intergovernmental relations (IGR) in thirteen federal systems from around the world. Although IGR are an integral and significant part of every federal system, they are often opaque. This comparative study – both descriptive and analytical – thus aims to identify and contrast IGR mechanisms in a systematic manner, as well as to assess their impact on federalism and outline the common trends and challenges they raise. The authors then comment on the methodology used throughout the study to facilitate transnational and transdisciplinary dialogue before outlining the structure of the volume.

Keywords: federalism, intergovernmental relations, comparative, law, politics

Full text available at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2812341