Federalism

a comparative study of the dynamics between unity and diversity in the United States, Brazil, and Germany

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to engage in a meticulous examination of Federalism as it manifests in the concrete socio-political landscapes of the United States, Brazil, and Germany, juxtaposed against its theoretical conceptual framework. To embark on such an ambitious endeavor, it is incumbent upon us to elucidate Federalism's etiological roots, multifaceted complexities, and operational mechanisms. In the course of this scrutiny, we shall assert that Federalism, despite the empirical heterogeneities that inherently characterize it, emerges as an indispensable paradigm for contemplating issues of pluralism, the devolution of authority, and the nurturing of regional identities. The corpus of this work is structured into five distinct segments: the first section is an exposition on the historical genesis of Federalism in the United States; the subsequent segment turns its focus to the conceptual underpinnings and philosophical provenance of Federalism; the third segment encompasses a detailed survey of Brazilian Federalism, sketching a historical trajectory that spans from the proclamation of the Republic to the post-military regime redemocratization; the fourth segment is consecrated to an analysis of the German model of Federalism. In our concluding remarks, we shall accentuate the intrinsic virtues of Federalism, extolling its capacity to expedite localized policy-making and administrative governance, safeguard regional and minority identities, and stymie the ascent of autocratic and dictatorial regimes. The first, third, and fourth sections engage in a jus-historical and philosophical inquiry, while the second and the ultimate sections tackle the normative-conceptual dimension and our interpretative exegeses, respectively.