Suchergebnisse

Federalism, Jennifer Smith, Vancouver: UBC Press, 2004, pp. xi,
192.This slender volume is part of the Canadian Democratic Audit series
examining how well Canadian democracy is performing at the beginning of
the twenty-first century. The purpose is to investigate all major aspects
of the Canadian political system according two three benchmarks: public
participation, inclusiveness and responsiveness. The series includes ten
volumes in all. This is the one on federalism.

Discusses issues such as power sharing, social diversity, economic, financial, and social policy, intergovernmental relations, and emerging levels of government; international perspective; 19 articles.

Discusses the vicissitudes of Australian federalism. The history of the federation is briefly traced in terms of developments in federalism across various spheres. It is argued that the challenge is to approach federalism in a manner that recognizes constitutional realities but does not hinge on wishful thinking regarding the sort of political consensus extant in emergencies. Further, issues should be considered in terms of whether they are amenable to government intervention rather than which level of government is responsible for them. State finance is looked at in this light, along with labor law & the pursuit of a national workplace relations system. In the final analysis, it is contended that Australia must come first & that what might be good for one state should not automatically be seen as good for the nation. J. Zendejas

Der Schweizer Politologe gewährt mit seinem Beitrag einen Einblick in die komplexe Problematik der durch nationalistische und separatistische Tendenzen (Baltikum, Ukraine, Zentralasien usw.) ausgelösten bzw. verstärkten Bemühungen um eine Neugliederung der föderativen Strukturen der UdSSR. Der Autor beschreibt die diesbezüglichen politischen Zielvorstellungen Gorbatschows, skizziert aber zugleich die zwischen Zentrale und Republiken kontrovers diskutierten Fragen hinsichtlich der Erneuerung des Unionsvertrages (Alternativmodelle Föderation/Konföderation; Gefahr der Sezession) und der unions- bzw. föderationsinternen Macht- und Kompetenzverteilung (Frage des Territoritaleigentums, der politischen und wirtschaftlichen Autonomie, der Zuständigkeit auf außenpolitischem und militärischem Sektor; Frage der Konfliktregelungsmechanismen).(BIOst-Gsh)