Types of States and Examples Flashcards
Explain a unitary state with a historical context of centralization.
France had a highly centralized system before the 1980s, with administrative power concentrated at the central level, a legacy from the monarchy and revolutionary periods.
What is the concept of deconcentration, and how was it implemented in France?
Deconcentration involves delegating decision-making powers to local agents. In France, the préfet was created in 1800 as a high-level civil servant responsible for representing the state locally and implementing national policies.
How did France approach decentralization in the 1980s, and what is its significance?
In the 1980s, France implemented decentralization reforms that allowed for more regional autonomy, with these changes formally enshrined in the French constitution in 2003. The reforms acknowledged regional differences while maintaining the indivisibility of the French state.
How does the United Kingdom exemplify devolution?
The UK began granting autonomy to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in the late 1990s through devolution. This process involved passing acts in 1997 (Scotland and Wales) and 1998 (Northern Ireland), which granted these regions distinct powers while still maintaining the overall unity of the UK.
What political conflict occurred between the Scottish Parliament and the UK Government over gender recognition reform?
The Scottish Parliament passed a Gender Recognition Reform Bill in 2022, but the UK Government blocked it using Section 35 of the Scotland Act. This conflict highlighted tensions between devolved powers and the UK Parliament’s authority, particularly over issues of national importance such as gender recognition.
What is the concept of regionalisation and how does Italy exemplify this?
Regionalisation involves granting certain regions greater autonomy while maintaining a unified legal framework. Italy, since 1947, has granted special status to certain regions, providing them with autonomy in various matters, thus creating an asymmetrical system where some regions have more power than others.
What is an example of federalism by association?
Federalism by association refers to a grouping of previously separate states that seek greater internal or external efficiency through joint control. An example is the United States, where states came together to form a federal union due to military and diplomatic threats.
What is federalism by dissociation, and which country exemplifies this?
Federalism by dissociation occurs when heterogenous communities previously grouped in a unitary state move toward federalism to pursue a common existence while accepting constitutional differences. Belgium is an example, where federalism was introduced in 1970 to accommodate linguistic and cultural differences.
How do federated states participate in decision-making at the federal level?
Federated states participate in federal decision-making through representation in a second parliamentary chamber (upper house).
For example, in the US, each state has two senators, while in Germany, representation in the Bundesrat is based on the demographic weight of each Länder.
What is the issue of unequal representation in the US?
Washington DC and Puerto Rico are examples of unequal representation in the US. Washington DC, despite being the capital, has no voting representation in Congress, and Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory, has no full statehood despite a 2020 referendum showing support for it.
How are state representatives chosen in different countries?
- US and Brazil: Representatives are selected through direct universal suffrage.
- Germany: Representatives are nominated by state governments.
- Canada: Senators are nominated by the Governor General following the Prime Minister’s recommendation, with a reform in 2016 creating the Independent Advisory Board for Senate appointments.
Give examples of equal and unequal bicameralism
- Equal bicameralism: The upper chamber, representing states, has blocking rights (e.g., US, Belgium until 1993).
- Unequal bicameralism: The lower chamber can supersede the upper chamber (e.g., Canada, Germany), influencing how negotiations occur between the levels of government.
What is ethnofederalism, and how does it relate to post-communist states?
Ethnofederalism is a system where federal structures are based on ethnic divisions, providing autonomy to ethnic groups. It is found in some post-communist states, like the breakup of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, where such systems can promote secession and state fragmentation.
What is the third wave of democratization and give examples
The third wave of democratization, coined by Samuel Huntington, began in 1974 with the Carnation Revolution in Portugal and continued into the 1990s, spreading democratic practices and decentralization to regions like Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
How did decentralisation contribute to domestic peace in Colombia?
In Colombia, decentralisation reforms in the late 1980s and early 1990s, such as local elections and fiscal revenue transfers, were part of efforts to pacify the conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), offering new opportunities at the local level and reducing tensions.
Give a example of a country that increased accountability through Decentralisation
Brazil – Local elections increase citizen influence over local politicians, but local clientelism still persists in some regions.
Give an example of a country where representation was emphasised through decentralisation
South Africa – Post-apartheid decentralisation increased representation of previously marginalized groups, though local elites can still monopolise political positions.
Give an example of subnational authoritarianism and neopatrimonialism
Mexico (Oaxaca) – Despite national democratic reforms, the state of Oaxaca maintained authoritarian practices through neopatrimonialism, where local elites controlled resources and political power.
Give an example of decentralised authoritarianism
China – Local governments have significant autonomy, but this decentralisation coexists with top-down authoritarian control from the central government.
Give an example of ethnofederalism
Georgia – The ethnofederal system contributed to ethnic conflicts during the post-Soviet transition, highlighting the drawbacks of such a system in multiethnic states.
