Decentralisation

[Rafael]

I came across this obscure chapter in political science and would like to find as many books as possible, on this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decentra...

Any recommendations?

[Feliks]

Interesting angle. Its easier to see the evils of centralization of government--which are well-known, obvious, and manifest--than it is to describe the anatomy of decentralization. Let's wait and see what people contribute.

[Marc]

Perfect opportunity for a Swiss person to comment ;) What do you want; examples? categorisations? explanations what decentralisation is? how it works? advantages/disadvantages?

[Rafael]

Book recommendations, only.

Examples could be useful, as well.
Why you say the Swiss society is a good example?

[abclaret, facilitator]

I think some things are touched on this thread.

[Marc]

we are probably among the most federal states in the world. the US is fairly federal too.

so, e.g., in 1971 we introduced women's suffrage at the national level however, the change in the national constitution was not enforced on the cantons. so one canton called Appenzell Innerhoden didn't have women's suffrage until 1990! ;)

so, i have two recommendations of things to read:

* a fantastic introduction to politics i find is heywood's 'politics' which has a good chapter on centralisation.

* but if you don't want to buy a book for just one chapter and u really ONLY want to read about centralisation/decentralisation, one classic is summarised here: http://wikisum.com/w/Lijphart:_Patter.... it's a little 'academic' though.

Naoise wrote: "Book recommendations, only.

Examples could be useful, as well.
Why you say the Swiss society is a good example?"

[Rafael]

Many thanks! I will gladly read everything!