SPECIAL ISSUE
CONTENTS
  • Section A) The theory and practise of the federal states and multi-level systems of government
  • Section B) Global governance and international organizations
  • Section C) Regional integration processes
  • Section D) Federalism as a political idea
  • Odubajo Adetola
    An Exploration of Contending Issues in Nigeria’s Federal Practice
    in Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences , Volume 3, Issue 1, May ,  2011 ,  1-33
    Since the emergence of modern federalism as a system of government through the exertions of American statesmen in the 18th century, the system has gained universal acceptance but more particularly in heterogeneous societies. The federalist model of accommodating diversity through the management of social cleavages and the schisms that often occur provides a suitable option for multicultural societies. Its mechanistic character of shared rule and separate rule, amidst the foreclosure of secession has provided assurances for political stability and peaceful coexistence amongst the variegated segments of heterogeneous states. Nigeria’s adoption of the system in the 1954 Constitution offered possibilities of managing the complexities that come with the country’s wide diversity. However, the application of federalism to the country’s scenario has been found wanting in numerous respect. Hence, the inability of federalism to arrest the descent into political instability, economic underdevelopment and socio-cultural disharmony. This paper isolates specific variables (horizontal and vertical relationships; asymmetry and symmetry relationships; diversity issues; minority question; constitutionalism and constitution-making processes) that are germane to the prospects of successfully working the federal system and processes in Nigeria. In the final analysis, the point is made that no other system may be more suitable for Nigeria other than federalism, as such the need for concerted and coordinated efforts by all stakeholders for appropriate management of federalism is required. Full text available online Download pdf
    ©2001 - 2020 - Centro Studi sul Federalismo - P. IVA 94067130016