Special issue: Better together? The purpose of intergovernmental councils in federal states

Intergovernmental councils (IGCs) are specific, institutionalized forums of intergovernmental relations. They provide essential horizontal and/or vertical executive channels for preparing, deciding, and implementing multilevel policies. Findings from the case studies included in this special issue indicate that it is primarily the institutional architecture, but also the structure of the multilevel party system, that account for variation in the purpose and effectiveness of IGCs.

Articles:

+ The purpose of intergovernmental councils: a framework for analysis and comparison Nathalie Behnke & Sean Mueller
+Horizontal coordination in cooperative federalism: the purpose of ministerial conferences in Germany Yvonne Hegele & Nathalie Behnke
+Vertical influence or horizontal coordination? The purpose of intergovernmental councils in Switzerland Johanna Schnabel & Sean Mueller
+Canadian multilateral intergovernmental institutions and the limits of institutional innovation Julie M. Simmons
+Intergovernmental councils and centralization in Australian federalism John Phillimore & Alan Fenna
+Intergovernmental councils in the United States Ann O’M. Bowman
+Intergovernmental councils in Spain: challenges and opportunities in a changing political context Sandra Leon
+Still better together? Purpose and power in intergovernmental councils in the UK Nicola McEwen