How did other countries fare

with Federalism?
ATTY. JOHN RAY LIBIRAN LL.B., LL.M.
University of the Cordilleras
 Outline of Lecture

Measure Countries
under
Federalism of federal
Conclusion
success system
Federal System

State State

Central
State Authority State
Federal System

Regional Regional
Authority Authority
Central Regional
Regional
Authority Authority Authority
Federal System

Province Province

Central
Province Authority Province
Self Shared
Federal State
rule rule

Main distinction from unitary form:

Accomodation of Regional preferences Political Stability

Recognition of Diversity Fail-safe

Federal
Experimentation System Protection from despotism

Responsive supervision Right to vote

Competition of regional authorities Active participation

Countries under Federal system

Argentina Malaysia
Australia Mexico
Austria Nigeria
Belgium Pakistan
Bosnia and Herzegovina Palau
Brazil Papua New Guinea
Canada Russia
Comoros Saint Kitts and Nevis
Ethiopia South Africa
Micronesia Switzerland
Germany United Arab Emirates
India United States of America
Venezuela
A proper measure of growth

Published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network

 VARIABLES

Real GDP per capita Freedom to make choices

Social Support Happiness Generosity

Life Expectancy Perceptions of corruption

Some Figures

12 out of 19
are in the 7 out of
upper 30% 19 are in
of the the top
Happiness 10%
ranking

Only 1/3 of countries under the federal system are “unhappy”

Switzerland

4th

Happiest State in
the World
Canada 7th

Happiest State in
the World
 Australia

9th

Happiest State in
the World
India

Ranked 122nd out

of 155 countries
Ethiopia

Ranked 119th out

of 155 countries
Conclusion

No federation has ever changed into a unitary system

Thank you!
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