Conclusion: Comparative Experience of Intergovernmental Relations in Federal Systems

Johanne Poirier 

McGill University - Faculty of Law

Cheryl Saunders 

Melbourne Law School

July 31, 2015

"Conclusion: Comparative Experience of Intergovernmental Relations in Federal Systems", in POIRIER, Johanne, SAUNDERS, Cheryl, KINCAID, John (eds.), Intergovernmental Relations in Federal Systems: Comparative Structures and Dynamics, Oxford University Press, 2015, pp. 440-498 

Abstract:    
This chapter concludes Intergovernmental Relations in Federal Systems: Comparative Structures and Dynamics, a volume that identifies and compares mechanisms of intergovernmental relations (IGR) in thirteen federal systems. It draws together the findings of the volume, loosely following the template provided to the authors and the structure of the various chapters. Part I identifies points of difference and convergence in the history, design, and system of government of the federations under study in order to highlight the ways in which these factors affect IGR. Part II compares the forms and processes of IGR of the thirteen case studies, dealing with legislative and executive involvement, joint and specialized agencies, intergovernmental agreements and fiscal federalism, among other things. Part III then identifies a range of emerging trends and common challenges in IGR across the thirteen case studies. Finally, the chapter concludes with reflections on the impact of IGR on federalism itself, underlining the competing tensions between centralising trends through formal or informal IGR on one hand, and resistance to this pressure by CUs and other actors, on the other.



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

Full text available at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2808685