Intergovernmental Relations in Divided Societies

“The more divisions along ethnic, linguistic, religious and nationhood lines, the more important become intergovernmental relations as the glue that holds a country together, but also the more difficult to achieve cooperation. The editors must be congratulated having brought together a set of excellent chapters on pertinent countries characterised by such divisions in both First and Third World contexts.”

– Professor Nico Steytler, SARChI Chair in Multlevel Government, Law and Development, University of the Western Cape, South Africa

“These accomplished authors, under the inspiring leadership of Fessha, Kössler, and Palermo, investigate the potential of intergovernmental relations for stability and peace in established and aspiring democracies whose societies are deeply divided. A must read for anyone interested in the peaceful management of political conflicts.”

– Professor Alain Gagnon, Alain G. Gagnon, Canada Research Chair in Quebec and Canadian Studies, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada

“Intergovernmental relations are a critical aspect of any system of multi-level government. A study of how they work in divided societies is long overdue, and welcome.”

– Professor Cheryl Saunders, Laureate Professor Emeritus at the University of Melbourne, Australia

This edited volume examines the form and operation of intergovernmental relations in divided societies. Using eight country case studies, it explores the interplay between politicised ethno-cultural diversity and intergovernmental relations (IGR). The book examines whether and how the distinctive identity of particular subnational units and the attending competing constitutional visions shape the dynamics of IGR. The book also examines the impact of identity politics on institutions and instruments of IGR.

Yonatan T. Fessha is Professor of Law at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa.

Karl Kössler is Senior Researcher at the Institute for Comparative Federalism at Eurac Research Bolzano/Bozen, Italy.

Francesco Palermo is Professor of Comparative Constitutional Law at the University of Verona and Head of the Institute for Comparative Federalism at Eurac Research Bolzano/Bozen, Italy.