This book critically discusses traditional federal theories and builds on theories that focus on the dynamics of federalism. It will be an essential resource for legal, social, economic and political scholars interested in federalism, regionalism and de/centralization.

Patricia Popelier is full professor at the law faculty of the University of Antwerp, director of the research group of government and law and copromoter of the interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence GOVTRUST. She is also senior research fellow at the University of Kent, Centre for Federal Studies. She is the vice president of the International Association of Legislation (IAL) and president of the Flemish Interuniversity Center of Legislation (ICW), convenor of the standing research group on subnational constitutions in federal and quasi-federal systems of the International Association of Constitutional Law, and member of the scientific committee of EURAC - Institute for Comparative Federalism (Bolzano); of the scientific committee of the Sofia Legal Science Network (SLSN); and of the scientific committee of the Ossevatorio AIR (Rome).

Introduction

Part I. Theoretical framework

Chapter 1. What is federalism? In search of building blocks for a new federal theory

Chapter 2. Dynamic Federalism: 'Federalism as a Process' Revisited

Part II. Measuring Cohesion and Autonomy

Chapter 3. Preliminary notes on the indicators: representation, and the Belgian case study

Chapter 4. Status

Chapter 5. Powers

Chapter 6. Fiscal arrangements

Part III. Measuring change

Chapter 7. Contours for a theory of change

Chapter 8. Institutional hubs for change

Conclusion: Findings and way forward

Appendix: Showcase - Belgium