Theories of Federalism - by D Karmis & W Norman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This project pulls together classic and modern readings and essays that explore theories of federalism. Spanning the Seventeenth through Twenty-first-centuries of European, U.S. and Canadian thinkers, this attempts to be a comprehensive reader for students in political theory. The emphasis throughout is on the normative argument, the advantages or disadvantages of federal and confederal arrangements compared to unitary states, and on the relative merits of various proposals to improve particular federations or confederations. These also draw on the full range of political science subfields: from political sociology, political economy and constitutional studies to comparative politics and international relations. There are also readings, both contemporary and historical, that attempt to clarify conceptual issues.

Review Quotes

"Karmis and Norman have done a great service to all teachers and students of federalism. Here, finally, is a comprehensive collection of primary texts in the history of federalist thought. From Althusius to Kant, and from The Federalist Papers to Trudeau, the authors of these texts give compelling evidence that federalism is more than just a government technique, that it is in fact a political response to some of the most intractable problems and conflicts facing complex human societies. In addition to the well selected texts, the editors provide introductions with useful suggestions for further reading."

- Dr. Thomas O. Hueglin, Wilfrid Laurier University

"This Reader traces the intellectual evolution of Federalist ideas from the Renaissance era to the present day and takes us on an exciting journey through the ages, charting the normative steps in the federal discourse. I see this collection of essays essentially as a new handbook for undergraduate and postgraduate students wishing to explore the versatility of the federal idea. Reading through it was tantamount to an insight into the adventures of the federal idea that furnished much food for thought and intellectual stimulation."

- Michael Burgess, University of Kent

About the Author

DIMITRIOS KARMIS is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the Universite Laval, Quebec City, Canada.

WAYNE NORMAN holds a Chair in the Centre for Applied Ethics at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.