Federalism explained by Peter Matjasic

Some historical facts... alliances of Greek city states or mediaeval Italian towns Switzerland, the Netherlands (the United Provinces) Foundation of the United States of America Philadelphia Convention (1787) first federal constitution “To look for a continuation of harmony between a number of independent unconnected sovereignties situated in the same neighbourhood, would be to disregard the uniform course of human events and to set at defiance the accumulated experience of ages.” (A. Hamilton, The Evils of Division; The Federalist, 1788 ) result of a compromise between those who wanted to unite into a single state, and those who sought to preserve the absolute sovereignty of, the thirteen colonies that had just won independence from the mother country. Under the federation, the people were represented in the House of Representatives, while the states could defend their specific interests in the Senate. The federal government was competent for the common matters of foreign and commercial policy: all other competencies were reserved to the states.

European Federalism The idea of the European federation (Saint Simon&Kant, De Tocqueville, Proudhon, Coudenhove-Kalergi) Federalism in the British Empire Federal Union = federalist movement in Britain (1938-40) The Ventotene Manifesto (1941) → a concrete political project (a post-war campaign for a European federal union) “The history of European federalism is nothing more than that of the manifestation of the contradiction between the affirmation of democracy in the national context, and its negation in the international context.” (M. Albertini, Federalism, Traditional Ideologies and Internationalism) Sirnon and Kant had seen the need to unite Europe to achieve peace. De Tocqueville brought the US federal experience into European thought particularly in Germany and France. Proudhon developed federalist thought as a decentralised alternative to the centralisation of the nation state and inspired a theory of social federalism known as integral federalism which won many converts in the 1930s. The work of Coudenhove-Kalergi, a constitutional federalist, lead to the creation of Pan-Europa in 1930s. The Ventotene manifesto set out the "dividing line between progress and reaction" between those who regard a European federation to be the primary objective of the political struggle, and those who continue to think that the values of liberty, freedom and social justice can be pursued within the nation-state. It was for this reason that the Movimento Federalista Europeo was founded in Italy

continuing ... Jean Monet: influenced by his experience of the failure of League of Nations, his work for the allies in two world wars, his reading of The Federalist Papers and living in London in 1940. Winston Churchill: had been aware of plans for imperial federation and had endorsed plans for an Anglo-French Union in 1940. He crucially helped launch moves towards European union in a speech in, calling for the creation of a “kind of United States of Europe”. These forces came together in the post war period to forge a broad European federalist movement. This movement split in the late 1950s over attitudes to the European Community, but reunited in the early 1970s to campaign for its reform, while other federalists have focused primarily on the need for world government.

Origins of the Term Federal The word came into English via French from Latin. Foederatus means “bound by treaty” deriving from foedus: treaty and fidere: to trust. The earliest recorded use of the word in English was by religious 17th century puritans who spoke of “federal theology” meaning a covenant between God and the settlers in America. By late 17th and early 18th centuries the use of the word had evolved to include agreements between states. By 1721 for example the term “federation” was being used as meaning a “united league”.

Key Characteristics of a Federal Union The key characteristics of a federal union bringing together independent states are as follows: Rule of Law Law enforcement Applicability Independent legislative & policy-making institutions Democracy Constitutionally defined responsibilities AD6 The common institutions are asked to implement common policies where problems are shared in order that these problems may be addressed jointly, but no more. Other levels of government would do everything else. The areas to be addressed in common would normally include commercial policy, monetary union, and security issues. Other policy areas could also be included. The constitution of the union would set down these powers.

What Federal State Is The principal characteristic of federal state: the functional division between legislative, executive and judicial powers a territorial division of powers between the various levels of government which are simultaneously independent and coordinated In existing federal states, there are essentially two specified levels of government: the federal state and the member states. In Europe there is a tendency to organise also the member states on the basis of federal institutions, and hence to recognise all the local communities, from districts to towns, cities and regions, as autonomous levels of power.

JEF’s vision of federalism The federalist approach: The main principle is that all decisions in society shall not be made on a higher level than necessary. Each individual has the right to exercise maximum influence over all matters which concern him/her, limited necessarily by the rights of other individuals. The power structure of society must be such that the authority to deal with a problem lies where the problem arises or naturally belongs. Principles of democracy must be introduced at all levels: at the place of work; in residential communities; in educational institutions.

What can be achieved by federalism To allow federalism to be effective, institutions must exist at every level with sufficient powers to permit and implement the necessary policies for the good of the individual and the community as a whole. Problems present themselves at local, regional, European and world levels.

At the lower level As much decentralisation as possible within federalist principles is important in order to overcome the problem created by the present political and economic structure of centralised nation states A federal Europe should be based on coordinate and independent levels of government, for example: district, city, region, nation, transregional area, Europe. The nation state should be incorporated in a federal structure as well, in order to let the cities and regions be coordinate but independent with the national and European level. large, centralised and remote bureaucracies, leading to the alienation of their citizens and to less participation in the decision-making process; • cultural, political and economic suppression of different minorities by the ruling majority; • division of natural minority entities by nation state borders, thus creating strong tensions; • standardisation of culture through methods such as the centralisation of the media at national level; • suppression of local diversity and civic vitality; • a bias in the economic structure towards a national approach that stifles regional development and consequently gives rise to a tendency for economic activity to concentrate in certain areas.

At the European level The countries of Europe share a common cultural, economic and political background. They have been characterised through centuries by similar development patterns. A federal Europe would be open to all European countries which are prepared to adopt federalist principles. This would be the best way to safeguard the interests of all Europeans. The national dimension has become completely insufficient to assure economic growth, environmental protection, social justice, democratic decision-making and sustainable development. The creation of a European Federation would lead to a more effective way of dealing with such issues. These can only be solved by a supranational body which in the long term will prevail over the short term national self interest.

continued ... The present political structure of the EU does not permit true European interests to be pursued. The EU should not be governed by the representatives of the members states' governments. The Heads of State and governments, their ministers and their unelected civil servants currently hold the power to block or to modify every decision. They represent their national interests and therefore usually ignore a true European standpoint. The development of European politics should be the result of a democratic process where real European needs are taken into account.

Institutional vision European Commission = European Government (President elected by the Parliament and would choose his own Commissioners) bicameral European Parliament composed of the current EP and the Council of Ministers (Council of EU) abolishment of the European Council

So what’s important to remember? Federalism is... DEMOCRACY and EFFICIENCY ...a model of governance ensuring efficiency in a democratic framework. ...a division of political power between levels of government to achieve the best combination of democracy and effectiveness. ... a system of multi-level governance so that decisions are taken at the most appropriate level, with as much decentralisation as possible and as much centralisation as necessary. ...a theory of political legitimacy since each level of government should have a direct link to the citizens and their interests should be represented at central level. ...a bottom-up political approach to the society based on the principle of subsidiarity, where decisions should be taken as openly and as closely to citizens as possible. ...a means of protecting pluralism and the rights of the individual against an over powerful government. ...an idea that democracy and the rule of law should apply between states as well as within them.

PEACE and UNIVERSAL VALUES Federalism is ... UNITY and DIVERSITY ...a way of managing diversity safeguarding and promoting cultural identities within political entities as vital for their viability and dynamism. ...a model of multi-layered identity reflecting the complexity of human life by taking into account and reconciling multiple identifications and allegiances of citizens. Feelings of belonging to a local community, region and/or country are not incompatible with the identification with and support of supranational and international political entities (such as the EU and UN), but supplement and mutually influence each other. PEACE and UNIVERSAL VALUES ...a guarantor of all human beings' fundamental and inalienable rights. ...a means of preventing war by establishing a means for the peaceful resolution of disputes between states. ...a rejection of the idea that the development of political institutions in human history has come to a full stop with the creation of nation states. ...a political theory promoting solidarity as a precondition for the peaceful coexistence and cooperation within and between states and other political bodies.

Federalism is... CONFRONTING MODERN CHALLENGES GLOBALLY ...an alternative to the hegemony of one state or group of states in an ordered international system. ...a means of starting to tackle seemingly impossible political problems by understanding the way that the design of institutional systems both causes and can help to solve them.  ...an answer to the erosion of the sovereignty of the nation state caused by globalisation.  Modern states can no longer tackle many (both global and national) problems on their own or solely by means of traditional intergovernmental cooperation. Nowadays challenges facing states need to be addressed with common policies. UNIVERSAL APPLICABILITY ...a dynamic concept that in spite of the challenges raised by the evolution of society succeeded in adapting to new forms of societal organization resulting in diverse forms of federal arrangements that encompass a large number of countries, regions and populations all around the world. ...a political ideology and means of addressing politics that is not tied to traditional left-right party divisions. ...a realisation that progress both can and must come in stages - think of federalism as a direction rather than a destination!

That’s it folks! Thanks for your patience and if you want to know more about federalism and/or JEF check out the following websites: www.jef-europe.net www.federaleurope.org (these sites were also used as references for the content of this presentation)