1. SUBNATIONAL POLITICS WEEK 12

2. Sovereignty: Unlimited power; unchallengeable right to rule Internal sovereignty: Supreme authority within the state External sovereignty: Independence and autonomy in the international system. Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science2

3. Territorial Distribution of Authority The distribution of functions and responsibilities between the central (national) and peripheral institutions (regional, local) Centralization: The concentration of political power at the national level. Decentralization: The transfer of powers and responsibilities away from central government to local governments. Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science3

4. Vertical Diffusion of Power Central Authority Local Authority Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science4

5. Why need to centralize? National unity: Pursing common interests of the entire community Uniformity: Same laws and rules in the entire country Equality: Eliminating the geographic, economic and demographic discrepancies between regions Prosperity: Economic development in all regions led by a central government Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science5

6. Why need to decentralize? Participation: Through local governments citizens can have access to policy-making Responsiveness: Quicker and effective response to local needs Legitimacy: Rightfulness to use authority/act Liberty: Free from central government’s interventions Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science6

7. Decentralized Centralized Confederation Federation Unitary State with devolution Unitary State Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science7

8. Federalism What is confederation? – A union of two or more states created by a treaty and enshrined in a common constitution – Each state is independent political entities – Self-governing states – No hierarchy among states – Central government is weaker than its parts Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science8

9. Federalism: The existence shared sovereignty between two distinct levels of government. What are the factors behind the establishment of federations? 1)Common historical experiences 2)Common enemy or political objectives 3)Geographical size: Regionally divided societies 4)Ethnic and cultural differences: Ethnic diversity Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science9

10. Features of Federal Systems Two autonomous levels of government: – Federal(Central) government – Regional(State) government Responsibilities and powers of each government are written in constitution – Constitutional guarantees given to local governments Existence of a constitutional arbiter between the federal and regional governments The judiciary functions to preserve the federal system – The judiciary functions to preserve the federal system Linking institutions between federal and regional governments – Bicameral legislature: Two houses. One of them consists of representatives from regional governments Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science10

11. Pros and Cons of Federations ProsCons Autonomy given to local government(Diffusion of power) Conflict among regional governments Local interests are voicedIneffective to implement nation-wide economic and social policies Network of checks and balances on central government Paralyzed central government Protection of individual libertyMay result in disintegration Help to achieve unity while preserving plural society Pave the way for separatist movements to flourish Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science11

12. Unitary Systems Unrivalled and unchallengeable authority of central government Limited power given to local governments by the central government Local institutions are subordinate to central government Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science12

13. Local institutions are usually responsible for delivering public services such as collecting garbage, public transportation, parks and recreational spaces. Devolution: The transfer of power from central government to subordinate regional institutions. – Power is conferred upon devolved bodies by the centre. – Regional authorities might have policy-making powers (Legislative devolution), regional authorities only have administrative responsibilities to implement policies (administrative devolution) Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science13

14. Devolution in the UK Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science14

15. Ethnic and Community Politics The rise of ethnic politics: – Increasing influence of ethnic and regional identities and decreasing influence of national identity – Ethnic politics creates pressure fro decentralization in European countries such as UK, Spain, France and Belgium Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science15

16. The core-periphery model The core-periphery model is based on the assumption that there is an imbalance and inequality between core and periphery (Internal colonialism) Core: Centre – Core is economically developed and life standards are higher – Core is integrated to global economy Periphery: Regions and centrifugal forces – Periphery is economically underdeveloped and subordinate to core – Periphery is exploited by core Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science16

17. Ethnic nationalism: A form of nationalism that is fuelled by a sense of ethnic distinctiveness. Factors behind ethnic nationalism: – A sense of ethnic differences(Rise of ethnic consciousness) – A sense of injustice caused by discrimination – Exploitation of ethnic communities by central government – Political aspiration for autonomy Kadri Kaan RendaIntroduction to Political Science17