Dalits and Decentralization: Federalism’s Impact on the Caste System

Decentralization, Democracy, Gender, Identity, India, Political Autonomy, Subnational Autonomy

Author: Shaoni Chakraborty: India’s governance system has traditionally been characterised by a specific form of federalism known as “centralised federalism.” In contrast to the classic conception of federal government, in which constituent units operate with significant autonomy with explicitly delineated independent spheres of authority, India’s system grants substantial powers to the Central government, allowing it to intervene in state affairs.

Federalism: Medicine for a Broken Lebanon?

corruption, Decentralization, Democracy, Education, Fragility, Health Care, Infrastructure, Peacebuilding, Political Autonomy, Service Delivery, Subnational Autonomy

Author: Anthony Bou-chrouche: For almost 50 years, Lebanon has been plagued with problems of civil unrest due to a lack of social cohesion that stems from religious differences among the groups that comprise its population. The country is home to 18 different religious communities, each of which possess constitutionally enshrined levels of representation in Parliament. In the legislature, generally seats are divided equally between Christian and Muslim communities (with some exceptions like that of the representation of the Druze community).

What Key Issues Lie Ahead as Federations Move Forward with Digitalization?

Decentralization, digitalization, Federalism, Infrastructure, Service Delivery

SPECIAL SERIES: Digitalization of Public Administration in Federal Countries – Author: Maeva Anoma: Today, rapid and constant technological advancements allow us to access multiple services right from the comfort of our couches. For example, we can order groceries, shop for clothes, rent cars, and have products delivered directly to our homes. As these technologies increasingly help citizens in their daily lives, and become an integral part of the operations of business, people are beginning to expect similar levels of digital services from their governments. Digitalizing the public sector can allow federal countries to provide effective, efficient, reliable, and rapid services across different levels of government.

Does Government Digitalization Lead to Greater Centralization in Federations?

Australia, Brazil, Decentralization, digitalization, Federalism, Fiscal Federalism, Germany, Health Care, India, Mexico, Service Delivery, Subnational Autonomy, Switzerland

SPECIAL SERIES: Digitalization of Public Administration in Federal Countries – Author: Éric Desrochers: During the Digitalization of Public Administration in Federal Countries workshop, scholars and practitioners of government digitalization presented case studies touching on various aspects of the relationship between e-government and centralization in federal and quasi-federal countries.

The Relationship between Digitalization and Decentralization in Federations

Covid, Decentralization, digitalization, Federalism, Fiscal Federalism, Service Delivery, Spain, Subnational Autonomy

SPECIAL SERIES: Digitalization of Public Administration in Federal Countries – Author: Aracelly Denise Granja: The role digitalization plays within the governments of federal countries has been a rising topic of interest in public administration. Particularly, researchers, policymakers, and public servants have sought to determine whether there is a causal relationship between the digitalization of public administration in federations and increased levels of decentralization.

Benefit or Barrier? The Effects of Federalism on Digitalization in Public Administration

Brazil, Canada, Decentralization, digitalization, Education, Federalism, Forum, Germany, Health Care, Service Delivery, Subnational Autonomy

SPECIAL SERIES: Digitalization of Public Administration in Federal Countries – Author: Valere Gaspard. When discussing the process of the digitalization of public administrations in federal states, a fundamental question is continuously posed in the background: what is the relationship between federalism and digitalization?

The Enemy of Good Governance – The Relationship Between Corruption and Federalism

corruption, Decentralization, Democracy, Federalism, Local Governance, Revenue Sharing, Service Delivery, Subnational Autonomy

Author: Kamila Kolodziejczyk – We live in a world in which acts of corruption and abuse of power by individuals who actively leverage positions of official authority and influence for personal benefit challenge the ability of governments to effectively meet the needs of people. Despite the near-universal condemnation of corruption by citizens, media, politicians and international organizations, abuses continue to plague governance systems worldwide.

Federalism: a Viable Peacebuilding Tool?

Decentralization, Federalism, Fragility, Iraq, Peacebuilding, Somalia

Author: Victoria Rose King – Since the end of the Cold War, the frequency with which federalism has been adopted as a peacebuilding tool in deeply divided states has increased. This is due to its perceived “ability to satisfy the aspirations and demands of both minority and majority groups: giving minority groups (limited) control over their own economic, political and social affairs, while also sustaining the territorial integrity of the extant state” (Anderson & Keil, 2017).

Decentralized Governance to Reinforce Women’s Political Participation in the MENA Region

Decentralization, Forum, Gender, MENA

Author: Laurie-Ève Beauchamp – The Middle East and North African (MENA) region is characterized by low participation of women in decision-making processes. Women face multiple challenges when they seek recognition as active political actors. This article examines the obstacles to women’s political participation in the MENA region and how the mechanisms of decentralized and multilevel governance can better support their political participation.