Understanding Federal Democracy
Will be published approx. on 28. August 2026
Book
Hardback
244 pages
978-1-0353-6148-9 (ISBN)
Description
This incisive book examines the relationship between federalism and democracy from a theoretical and comparative perspective. Arthur Benz proposes a novel understanding of why and how federal democracy can solve the dilemma of balancing effective governance with democratic legitimacy.
Benz evaluates federal democracy as a complex system which is based on complementary principles that combine incongruent institutions. Based on historical, society-centred and actor-centred approaches, he analyses the potential frictions and constructive dynamics across diverse forms of federal government. In particular, he highlights the advantages of parliamentary democracy over presidential government. Chapters demonstrate the processes linking parliaments, parties, executives and interest groups across federal and regional jurisdictions, exploring how to enable intergovernmental coordination without restricting governments' autonomy.
Understanding Federal Democracy is an important resource for scientists and students of political science and public policy, particularly those focusing on governance and democracy, federalism studies and regional government. Policymakers in the field will equally benefit from the book's academic and practical insights.
Benz evaluates federal democracy as a complex system which is based on complementary principles that combine incongruent institutions. Based on historical, society-centred and actor-centred approaches, he analyses the potential frictions and constructive dynamics across diverse forms of federal government. In particular, he highlights the advantages of parliamentary democracy over presidential government. Chapters demonstrate the processes linking parliaments, parties, executives and interest groups across federal and regional jurisdictions, exploring how to enable intergovernmental coordination without restricting governments' autonomy.
Understanding Federal Democracy is an important resource for scientists and students of political science and public policy, particularly those focusing on governance and democracy, federalism studies and regional government. Policymakers in the field will equally benefit from the book's academic and practical insights.
Reviews / Votes
'Arthur Benz brilliantly demonstrates how federal democracies manage the inherent tensions between intergovernmental coordination, democratic legitimacy and territorial diversity. Combining conceptual clarity with deep comparative analysis, this outstanding book by one of the leading scholars in the field sets a new benchmark for federalism and governance research.' -- Adrian Vatter, University of Bern, Switzerland 'Federalism and democracy come together in a multiplicity of ways to produce politics and policies whose complexity may be matched only by a promise to deliver justice and stability. In Understanding Federal Democracy, Arthur Benz presents a rich, multidimensional, and realist treatment of this type of state. A must read for all scholars of federalism and of democracy.' -- Andre Lecours, University of Ottawa, Canada 'Understanding Federal Democracy is a major contribution to literature on democratic governance, by one of the preeminent scholars in the field. It is essential reading for anyone interested in federalism and democracy and in the complex and vital relationships between them.' -- Timothy Conlan, George Mason University, USAMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-6148-9 (9781035361489)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Arthur Benz, Professor Emeritus of Comparative Politics and German Government, Institute for Political Science, Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany
Content
Contents
1 Introduction: The intricacy of federal democracy
2 Federalism and democracy: In principle complementary
3 Federal democracy: A complex system of government
4 Varieties of federal democracy
5 Societal diversity and political conflicts
6 Fiscal federalism and democracy: The challenge of
distributive justice
7 From tensions to frictions: How federal democracy can fail
8 Multiple linkages: Parliaments, parties and interest groups in
intergovernmental negotiations
9 Enabling citizens: Autonomy-preserving federalism
10 Conclusion: Complex democracy and federal dynamics
1 Introduction: The intricacy of federal democracy
2 Federalism and democracy: In principle complementary
3 Federal democracy: A complex system of government
4 Varieties of federal democracy
5 Societal diversity and political conflicts
6 Fiscal federalism and democracy: The challenge of
distributive justice
7 From tensions to frictions: How federal democracy can fail
8 Multiple linkages: Parliaments, parties and interest groups in
intergovernmental negotiations
9 Enabling citizens: Autonomy-preserving federalism
10 Conclusion: Complex democracy and federal dynamics