Description
Book SynopsisThis innovative book proposes a new institutional arrangement for government to fulfil the needs of its citizens as well as possible. Existing aspects of federalism and direct democracy in Europe are strengthened, and as a result future developments arising in the region are coped with better.
In this book Bruno Frey and Reiner Eichenberger propose a new model of federalism which includes new types of governmental units established by citizens from below. These units are called functional, overlapping and competing jurisdictions as they extend over task-specific areas and therefore overlap. They also provide competitive governance via direct and representative democratic institutions, and as jurisdictions they have independent power over taxation policy. This new model is more responsive to citizens' preferences and adjusts more dynamically to provide public services efficiently. The authors suggest that this new system should be allowed to develop in Europe to safeguard diversity and ensure that decentralization emerges effectively. It would also allow for the flexible integration of East European transition economies into the European Union and may also combine with traditional modes of government in developing countries.
This book will be warmly welcomed by economists, political scientists and sociologists interested in the future of the European Union, by all those studying federal systems of government, and by those interested in the prospects for improving democratic institutions throughout the world.
Trade Review'. . . this is a stimulating pioneer work. They should extend it and the rest of us should act as missionaries.' -- Gordon Tullock, Public Choice
'. . . the authors not only provide an implicit discussion of the problems of the nation-state, but they also outline an alternative, with a defence of why and how it would work effectively. . . the book provokes thought and debate. It is a welcome creative addition to an already rich literature.' -- Journal of International Law and Politics
Table of ContentsContents: Part I: The Idea 1. Functional, Overlapping and Competing Jurisdictions (FOCJ) 2. The Advantages of FOCJ 3. FOCJ Implemented 4. FOCJ Compared 5. Bastard FOCJ Part II: FOCJ for Europe 6. Federalism in Today’s Europe 7. FOCJ in Europe Part III: Beyond Europe 8. Europe and the World 9. FOCJ and Developing Countries 10. Conclusions
