Federalism and Politics of Compromise

This study will seek to build a normative theory of compromise and federalism. Several questions will serve as guidelines for our research: If federalism does depend on a specific type of compromise, what kind of compromise are we talking about? Would federalism be a normatively acceptable form of compromise?
Several analytical differences will be explored: federalism and subsidiarity, on the one hand, conflict and cohesion, on the other hand, and finally, justifications for federalism and the Nation-State.
This research project will be structured as follows: 1 – Analysis of problems and types of compromises giving rise to federal structures (risk of wars, conflicts between minorities, lack of recognition…); 2 – Possible solutions of federalism as a method of compromise; 3 – Factors maintaining the stability of the chosen solution (trust; cohesion etc.) and their relationship to compromise.
Its aim is to 1 – clarify the relationship between federalism and compromise 2 – refine our understanding of social cohesion and trust, as a preliminary condition for compromise, or effect of it and 3 – highlight instruments mobilized to ensure the stability of federal compromises.

Faculty Supervisor:

Daniel Weinstock

Student:

Partner:

Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education

University:

McGill University

Program: