Case Studies

Sep

2025

Trump Tramples American Federalism

Abstract

President Donald Trump threatens American federalism because he sees himself as a popular and powerful populist leader presiding over the unitary executive of a unitary nation. He regards the states as agents of the federal government; therefore, he intervenes, including militarily, in all facets of state and local affairs. He is making unprecedented uses of federal-aid funds to coerce state and local governments into complying with his policies. Federal district and appellate courts have been the principal check on Trump, and he has lost most of the lawsuits filed against his actions. However, 40 months remain in his Administration.

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May

2025

Assessing Decentralization in Egypt – Oscillations between centralisation and hopes for reform

Abstract

Egypt is known as a state defined by its highly centralised model of governance. This paper explores the role of decentralization within this framework, examining both historical and contemporary approaches to power-sharing. The paper highlights certain examples, such as the United Arab Republic, a brief period of integration with Syria whose failure deepened suspicions about decentralisation. However, the government’s resistance to any substantial power-sharing led to growing citizen discontent over time, culminating in the 2011 uprising. Actors in the revolution emphasised the need for reform and decentralisation, reigniting the debate on the implementation of decentralized structures. This study examines specific factors that have hindered these changes. In the final section, the paper identifies necessary reforms within the state, drawing on examples from scholars in the field. While decentralization is not presented as a panacea, its principles offer valuable insights that could help mitigate Egypt’s evolving political landscape.

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Mar

2025

Unlocking the Cyprus Peace Process: Backstops could be an option

Abstract

Backstops could be best defined as a form of safeguard or contingency plan, that aim to guarantee a certain positive outcome regardless of the outcome of a negotiation. In Cyprus and peace negotiations across conflict zones, a “backstop” could refer to a fallback arrangement that will kick in if parties fail to reach a comprehensive settlement. While we do not necessarily advocate for any specific backstop, in this article we aim to present the wider architecture and process design, examples from around the world as well as a feasible range of alternatives for Cyprus.

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Feb

2025

Federalism and Ethnic Accommodation in Ethiopia: A Promised Solution or a Persistent Dilemma?

Abstract

Ethiopia adopted multinational federalism in 1995 to accommodate its diverse ethnic groups, granting them self-determination rights, including secession. While this system has enhanced linguistic and cultural recognition, and improved ethnic representation and self-rule, it has also inadvertently deepened ethnic divisions, contributing to recurrent conflicts and instability. The federal framework, intended as a solution to historical marginalization, appears to have reinforced inter-ethnic competition. This article examines Ethiopia’s federalism, its achievements, shortcomings, and ongoing challenges, arguing that meaningful reforms, such as electoral reform, institutional strengthening, and genuine conflict resolution mechanisms, are crucial to achieving a more stable and inclusive political order.

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Oct

2024

Islam, Somali Culture and Federalism: An Integrated Perspective

Abstract

Islam plays a central role in Somali society, influencing social norms, legal frameworks, and political systems. The Islamic legal system (Sharia) and traditional Somali customary law (Xeer) operate alongside formal state-backed courts, prioritizing community consensus and moral obligations. The Somali Provisional Constitution incorporates Islamic principles, designating Islam as the state religion and Sharia as the supreme law. Federalism, introduced in 2004, aligns with Islamic teachings on justice, consultation, and communal welfare. This governance model accommodates the intricate clan structures and local customs, promoting inclusivity and enhancing local governance. However, successful implementation of federalism in Somalia requires balancing traditional clan governance with modern federal structures, ensuring inclusivity, and integrating the needs of pastoral communities. Tailoring federalism to Somali cultural and social nuances fosters social cohesion, community empowerment, and national development.

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Oct

2024

Postcolonial Federalism and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Abstract

For decades, debate has revolved around whether the Islamic Republic of Pakistan qualifies as a federation. This uncertainty originates from the lack of democratic credentials within Pakistan’s federal system and its multilevel operations. Often ignored is Pakistan’s colonial history and the legacies of colonial rule that have aided and abetted this status quo. Postcolonial Federalism advocates a relationship between the de jure and de facto legacies of colonial rule and Pakistan’s current federal dynamics. It emphasises the importance of colonial socio-political engineering and the inheritance of institutions after independence in 1947. To understand the social reality of federations such as Pakistan, it is essential to detach from the Western frameworks and objectives of federalism as we know them.

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Jul

2024

Empowering communities, elevating lives through better governance

Abstract

Empowering local governments is pivotal for fostering democratic principles, accountability, and sustainable service provision. By bolstering sub-national structures, nations like Somalia advanced in state-building efforts, promoted peacebuilding, addressed societal disparities, and continues to strengthen the social contract. In Somalia, the significance of local governance cannot be overstated. It plays a pivotal role in stabilizing fragile contexts, fostering peace, driving economic progress, enhancing administrative efficiency, and ensuring social inclusion. Local governments are instrumental in upholding peace, stability, and establishing state legitimacy.

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Apr

2024

The EU Budget and its Conditionalities*

Abstract

Conditional grants are also often seen as an instrument to reduce constituent units’ policy autonomy in federal systems. Conditional grant programmes also play an important role in policy-making in the EU. Cohesion Policy as an example of an EU public policy which has experienced a significant rise in conditionality instruments over recent decades. However, their use is controversial, as not all member states are affected by the set conditions in the same way which may undermining solidarity. Especially in federal and decentralised countries the autonomy of constituent units has been progressively limited. The constituent units are the main beneficiaries of EU cohesion policy, but they are not involved in decision-making on conditionalities and cannot be held accountable for compliance with all of them.

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Mar

2024

“The Southern Challenge”: Contestatory Federalism in India*

Abstract

Does contestation by subnational units help in maintaining or even enhancing federal practices? This contribution examines recent developments in India, specifically the role of southern states in questioning the practice of federalism, in particular against increasing centralisation. It argues that the southern states play an important role in challenging actions by the federal government and thus also highlight the inequities of the centralised Indian federation and lack of institutionalised fora for intergovernmental relations and centre-state dialogues.

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Mar

2024

Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water: How not to misread an EU request about foreign judges at the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

The role of a Constitutional Court is central, even more so after a conflict in deeply divided societies. Foreign judges may strengthen the judicial independence, authority, and accountability of a court. However, the consideration of their role is strongly related to the context, including the role of the International Community. Experience suggests that there is positive potential for the use of foreign judges in stabilizing post-conflict situations; however, over time they may risk becoming a divisive factor themselves, as recently in the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This, and the preparation for EU accession, makes it necessary (or at least advisable) to adapt their guarantee function, write Jens Woelk and Harun Išerić.

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