The concept and uses of hourglass federalism: a comparative study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Recent international federal debates and reforms have witnessed a shift to emphasizing the local level in federal systems. In particular, the notion of hourglass federalism has been introduced and increasingly used, both in terms of the number of countries it is applied to but also in how it is conceived. However, despite the growing recognition of the prevalence of hourglass approaches, there has been very little written about the idea itself and the concept remains somewhat nebulous. In this article, we seek to develop the concept further. Based on the historical development of the concept, we identify dimensions and variables that characterize hourglass federalism as both a structure and as a strategy. We then examine ten cases which have prominent local levels as part of an overarching federal system, in order to identify key purposes and to develop a conceptual model by which hourglass federalism can be better understood.