Some of you know my long-time fascination with Federalism. For those of you who feel a flatness in this term, I am confident that within a few weeks or one long conversation I can energize your own passion.
The new draft treaty for the EU which replaces the fallen Constitution is an example of building and coming together. This is one part of federalism — which I define as the combination of self-rule and shared rule. Think of Benjamin Barber’s famous subtitle to Jihad vs. McWorld announcing “how the world is both coming together and falling apart.” The nation of Belgium has gone for 5 months without a national government and its Flemish and French speakers may forgo their ties. Federalism analyzes these twin trends.
