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Palgrave Macmillan

Intergovernmental Relations in Divided Societies

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  • © 2022

Overview

Editors:
  1. Yonatan T. Fessha

    1. University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa

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  2. Karl Kössler

    1. Institute for Comparative Federalism, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy

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  3. Francesco Palermo

    1. Institute for Comparative Federalism, University of Verona and Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy

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  • Reviews the existing institutions and processes of intergovernmental relations (IGR)
  • Examines how identity politics shapes the dynamics of IGR
  • Analyses how institutions and processes of IGR have been used to help manage communal tensions

Part of the book series: Comparative Territorial Politics (COMPTPOL)

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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxix
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  2. The Paradox of Cooperation: Intergovernmental Relations and Identity Conflict in Switzerland

    • Sean Mueller
    Pages 1-29

  3. Bilingualism, Quebec’s Distinctiveness, and Intergovernmental Relations in Canada

    • Johanna Schnabel
    Pages 31-59

  4. Intergovernmental Relations in Belgium: Obstacles to Effective Cooperation in Dyadic Federalism

    • Patricia Popelier
    Pages 61-89

  5. Plurinationalism, Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations in the United Kingdom

    • Paul Anderson
    Pages 91-112

  6. Intergovernmental Relations and Ethnic Federalism in Ethiopia

    • Zemelak A. Ayele, Yonatan T. Fessha
    Pages 113-132

  7. Redundancy of Existence: Intergovernmental Relations in India

    • Rajendra K. Pandey
    Pages 133-157

  8. Intergovernmental Relations and Communal Tensions in Spain

    • Josep M. Castellà Andreu, Mario Kölling
    Pages 159-182

  9. Intergovernmental Relations and Identity Politics in Italy

    • Nicolò Paolo Alessi, Francesco Palermo
    Pages 183-218

  10. Back Matter

    Pages 219-237
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Keywords

About this book

This edited volume examines the form and operation of intergovernmental relations in divided societies. Using eight country case studies, it explores the interplay between politicised ethno-cultural diversity and intergovernmental relations (IGR) in countries where the distinctive identity of at least one subnational unit is acknowledged in a form of territorial autonomy. The book examines whether and how the distinctive identity of particular subnational units and the attending competing constitutional visions shape the dynamics of IGR. The goal here is not simply to determine whether intergovernmental interactions in such societies are less cordial and more conflictual than in other societies. Such interaction in any society could be strained as a result of disagreement over specific policy objectives. The question is whether the distinctive identity of particular subnational units and the attending competing constitutional visions themselves have been a primary source of intergovernmental tension. The book also examines the impact of identity politics on institutions and instruments of IGR, determining whether the ethno-cultural divide and the tension it creates have the tendency to affect the type of institutions and instruments employed in IGR. It is also about the relevance and effectiveness of institutions and instruments of IGR in acknowledging and accommodating the distinctive identities and specific demands of subnational units, thereby contributing to the peaceful management of divided societies.

Reviews

“This volume on Intergovernmental Relations in Divided Societies addresses one of the key issues in federalism – its function as an accommodation device for societies which are deeply divided and which sometimes result in conflict. The more divisions along ethnic, linguistic, religious and nationhood lines, the more important become intergovernmental relations as the glue that holds a country together, but also the more difficult to achieve cooperation. The editors must be congratulated having brought together a set of excellent chapters on pertinent countries characterised by such divisions in both First and Third World contexts. The book contributes significantly to our understanding of this often neglected aspect of federalism.” (Professor Nico Steytler, SARChI Chair in Multlevel Government, Law and Development, University of the Western Cape) 

“These accomplished authors, under the inspiring leadership of Fessha, Kössler, and Palermo, investigate the potentialof intergovernmental relations (IGR) for stability and peace in established and aspiring democracies whose societies are deeply divided. Authors are focussing on three interwoven considerations, namely the nature of intergovernmental relations in divided societies, the impact of identity politics on arrangement of intergovernmental relations, and the relevance and effectiveness of intergovernmental relations and institutions in the management of divided societies. A must read for anyone interested in the peaceful management of political conflicts.” (Professor Alain Gagnon, Alain G. Gagnon, Canada Research Chair in Quebec and Canadian Studies, Université du Québec à Montréal)

“Intergovernmental relations are a critical aspect of any system of multi-level government. A study of how they work in divided societies is long overdue, and welcome.” (Professor Cheryl Saunders, Laureate Professor Emeritus at the University of Melbourne)

Editors and Affiliations

  • University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa

    Yonatan T. Fessha

  • Institute for Comparative Federalism, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy

    Karl Kössler

  • Institute for Comparative Federalism, University of Verona and Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy

    Francesco Palermo

About the editors

Yonatan T. Fessha is Professor of Law at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa.

Karl Kössler is Senior Researcher at the Institute for Comparative Federalism at Eurac Research Bolzano/Bozen, Italy.

Francesco Palermo is Professor of Comparative Constitutional Law at the University of Verona and Head of the Institute for Comparative Federalism at Eurac Research Bolzano/Bozen, Italy.

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