In:
World Politics, Project MUSE, Vol. 3, No. 3 ( 1951-04), p. 281-298
Abstract:
Among the constitutional devices sometimes recommended as remedies for the ills of present society, federalism has come to play a consistent, if not a major, role. A rapid glance at the balance sheet of Western European intrastate federalism over the last three decades might therefore be of some usefulness. The uncertainty over the continued existence of federal states is shown by the difficulty in defining their distinguishing features. Assertions in constitutional documents do not help much, as they are political assertions rather than guiding principles of interpretation. Some constitutions have even tried to square the circle. Thus, the Spanish Constitution of 1931 in the same breath called Spain an “integral state” and defined it as consisting of provinces as well as regions formed according to the “principle of autonomy.” The Bonn Basic Law of 1949 dodges the issue elegantly by affirming in its preamble that it is the German people in the eleven states who have enacted the basic law.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0043-8871
,
1086-3338
Language:
English
Publisher:
Project MUSE
Publication Date:
1951
detail.hit.zdb_id:
200491-4
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1497472-1
SSG:
3,6
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