Defunct Federalisms: Critical Perspectives on Federal Failure (Federalism Studies) - Tapa dura

'A very timely exploration of why multinational federations collapse. The diverse case studies provide detailed empirical insight and highly informative analyses. Defunct Federalisms makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of this increasingly important issue and offers perceptive prescriptions which will aid scholars and practitioners alike.' Aidan Hehir, University of Westminster, UK 'A comprehensive account of federal failure, based on sound theory and close examination of eleven case studies. The book ventures on considering federal failure as the norm rather than the exception, thus finding a way to give its due to an important aspect of federalism insufficiently studied in the literature. A must for scholars seriously interested in comparative federalism.' Julian Castro-Rea, University of Alberta, Canada 'This volume does more than simply review Beijing's policies, it explains the complexity and contradictions inherent in China's understanding of regional diplomacy. The authors expertly show how China's regional efforts differ from patterns established by Western nations. Anyone interested in the impact of China's growing economic power, military capability, and diplomatic clout will benefit from this unique volume.' Steven Phillips, Towson University, USA

Since the end of the Cold War the global arena has become a place for dynamic change, in particular for federal political units. The focus on defunct federalisms draws attention not only to the difference between state-making and nation building, it also points to the fact that state-making does not necessarily lead to the creation of a national identity. This comparative volume looks at the track record of several defunct federalisms to identify options that have been overlooked and decisions that precipitated the collapse. Bringing together insights from the study of state failure and federal collapse, it examines the ways in which parallel assessment is crucial for suggesting the complex structures of identity accommodation in federal entities. The volume is ideal for advanced undergraduates and graduate students as well as university lecturers and researchers working on the issues related to contemporary federalism, history of federal units and the questions of national identity.