Jörg Broschek

Federal dynamics: continuity, change, and the varieties of federalism

Acknowledgements 1. Federal Dynamics: Introduction Part I: Models, Varieties and Dimensions of Federalism 2. Dimensions and Dynamics of Federal Regimes 3. Comparing Federalisms: Variations or Distinct Models? 4. Varieties of Federalism and Propensities for Change Part II: Timing and Sequencing and Historical Evolution 5. Between Path Dependence and Gradual Change: Historical Institutionalism and the Study of Federal Dynamics 6. Resilience and Change in Federal Institutions: The Case of the German Federal Council 7. Decentralization in Time: A Process-Tracing Approach to Federal Dynamics of Change 9. Federalism, Democracy and Democratization 10. The Evolution of Federalism and Executive Power in Canada and Australia Part III: Social Change and Political Structuring 11. Federalism, Nationalist Politics, and Social Policy: How Ideas and Institutions Interact to Produce or Prevent Change 12. Dynamics of Change in Federal Representation 13. Mainstream Parties and Territorial Dynamics in the UK, Spain and India Part IV: Actors, Institutions and Internal Dynamics 14. Constitutional Change in Federations: The Role of Complementary Institutions 15. Constitutional Reform and Federal Dynamics: Causes and Effects 16. Paradoxes of Self-Coordination in Federal Systems 17. Economic Crisis and Federal Dynamics Conclusion: Theorizing Federal Dynamics

Rethinking Multilevel Governance as an Instance of Multilevel Politics: A Conceptual Strategy

Abstract This paper introduces a new approach to the comparative analysis of multilevel governance (MLG). Using water governance in North America as an illustrative example, it advances an innovative approach for scrutinizing the varieties of actor constellations in multilevel settings. While MLG is commonly conceptualized rather broadly as a system, we define MLG instead as an instance of a specific actor configuration that can rigorously be distinguished from other configurations, most notably intergovernmental relations (IGR). With this more conceptually bounded classification, we suggest that scholars can now more fruitfully engage in systematic analyses of MLG and IGR across different types of political systems (e.g. unitary, federal and supranational). Our hope is that this paper will provide some much needed conceptual and analytical clarification to an increasingly nebulous debate on what MLG actually is and what it means for students of political science, public policy and public administration.

Conceptualizing and Theorizing Constitutional Change in Federal Systems: Insights from Historical Institutionalism

The connection between past and present politics manifests itself most obviously in the constitution. Diverging trajectories of constitutional evolution usually depart from a ‘constitutional moment’ and, therefore, are causally tied to formative events that take place early in a historical sequence. And yet, while the historical nature of the constitution is often acknowledged, studies rigorously applying a historical-institutionalist framework to the study of constitutional change in federal systems have been few and far between. This article probes the value of historical institutionalism for investigating and explaining both the origins and patterns of constitutional change in federal systems. It taps into three strands within the historical-institutionalist literature and asks what each can contribute to the analysis of constitutional change in federal systems.

Historical Institutionalism and Comparative Federalism

Abstract With some exceptions, efforts to systematically apply a historical-institutionalist framework to the study of federalism have been few and far between. This paper argues, however, that historical institutionalism lends itself particularly well for addressing two important research questions in the field of comparative federalism: the origins of federal systems and their dynamics. It is suggested that a historical-institutionalist framework can significantly contribute to encourage theoretical cross-fertilization within the field of comparative federalism.

This Is Not a Turn: Canadian Political Science and Social Mechanisms

Mechanism-based explanations are gaining in popularity in the social sciences. Canadian political science has somewhat embraced these debates. Recent work has explicitly identified with mechanismic explanation and, at the same time, there is a point to be made about the compatibility of CPSs cannons with a mechanism-based understanding of causation. In this paper, we survey past and recent work aligned with this ontological approach. We demonstrate a heterogeneous engagement with the methodological literature regarding mechanisms and different understandings as well as uses of mechanisms in political analysis. This survey allows us to argue for the potential of mechanism-based explanations for CPS while also forcing us to advocate for a sober and discerning use of this approach.

Mehrebenanalyse in der Vergleichenden Politikwissenschaft

Dieser Beitrag macht deutlich, an welchen Stellen und wie eine vergleichende Perspektive bei der Analyse von zum Teil einmaligen Mehrebenensystemen besondere Erkenntnisgewinne verspricht. Er widmet sich (1) der vergleichenden Foderalismusforschung; (2) dem Vergleich regionaler Zusammenschlusse; (3) dem europaischen Mehrebenensystem und dort insbesondere (4) dem Prozess der Europaisierung.

Staatsstrukturen in der Vergleichenden Politikwissenschaft: Föderal- und Einheitsstaat

Die territoriale Dimension von Staatlichkeit ist den vergangenen Jahrzehnten wieder spurbarer geworden. Die supranationale Integrationsdynamik innerhalb der Europaischen Union, Prozesse der Devolution wie in Grosbritannien oder Italien beziehungsweise der Foderalisierung wie in Belgien, und eine Vielzahl von Institutionenreformen in etablierten Foderalstaaten belegen dies. Oftmals liegt diesen institutionellen Dynamiken eine „Reaktualisierung“ territorial definierter Konfliktlinien zugrunde. Ungeachtet dieser aktuellen Entwicklungen zeigt dieser Beitrag indes, dass Territorialitat seit jeher eine wichtige Rolle fur die Binnenstruktur des Staates gespielt hat.

Historical Institutionalism and the Study of Canadian Politics

Path dependence has emerged as the most influential concept within today’s historical-institutionalist literature. Historically-minded political scientists have frequently turned their attention on path dependence as this model offers a promising way to rigorously demonstrate how history matters through timing and sequencing. Path dependence is, as Peters, Pierre and King (2005: 1275) have noted, the “central analytic notion…in historical institutionalism” and remains, in the words of Howlett and Rayner (2006: 13), a “…much used, and abused, model of historical sequencing”.