The federal vision: Legitimacy and levels of governance in the United States and the European Union

Book abstract:

This book examines federalism and integration both in the United States and Europe showing that despite the differences between the two they are both in the process of redefining their federal vision. The book has a multidisciplinary approach with contributions from political scientists, legal scholars, sociologists and political economists. Aspects covered include the history of federalism in the EU and the US, current debates over devolution and subsidiarity and the legal framework of federalism. Also covered are theoretical approaches such as the application of network analysis, principal-agent models, institutionalist analysis, and political theories of citizenship.

The book has five parts. The first presents an overview of the meaning of federalism in the two regions. Part two looks at the history of federalism in the EU and US and its significance today with a set of diagnoses of devolution and subsidiarity. Part three discusses the legal and regulatory instruments of mutual control between state and union. Part four presents alternative analytical models for understanding the relationship between levels of governance and the way legitimacy can be sustained in both regions. Finally, Part 5 looks at the deeper roots of legitimacy in federal systems by asking what determines allegiance to systems of governance.

The book is based on a conference held in 1999 at Harvard University. It would be suited to students and academics interested in the changing relationship between levels of governance.