The Paradox of Federalism: Some Practical Reflections

Abstract

This paper explores the promise and paradox of federalism in Iraq, Sri Lanka and Quebec and Canada. The author has doubts as to whether the paradox can be effectively resolved with institutional fine-tuning. Rather, for him, questions of political justice prevail when exploring whether federalism leads to or calms secessionism. The challenge then is not institutional but pre-institutional—things that must be agreed upon before normal politics can operate. While it is comparatively easy to adjust institutions, it is more difficult to adjust—let alone bring about—these pre-institutional features. Despite the risks inherent in the institutional set-up of federalism, there might be little else on the table to keep divided societies together in a liberal democratic system that respects the basic demands of justice.