Telangana-AP-Map-LMI Courtesy: Wikimedia
14 August 2014

Telangana: born of historic fissures

The birth of Telangana was a fall-out of the politics of opportunism practiced by both regional and national parties. The idea of federalism in India has to be conscious of these fault lines as they do not bode well for aspirations of cooperative federalism

sansad Courtesy: Wikipedia
14 August 2014

Flexible federalism

India’s federalism sees territory as fixed space through which power is distributed. We must instead imagine a federalism of time, a non-linear layering that reverses the heliocentrism of the State. It will give us models of disorder to create a diversity-sensitive system, and a new prism to re-imagine India’s future

Arab Republics Courtesy: Synthesio.com
14 August 2014

Federalism for the Arab Republics?

Many Arab Republics are mired in political discord after the departure of the old tyrannical regimes opened up spaces for new struggles. In Iraq, Yemen, Libya, and Sudan, attempts to address the turmoil through constitutional reform are facing challenges. Will a democratic federalism be attained when the battles are done?

porto alegre Courtesy: wikimedia\commons
14 August 2014

Federalism, swaraj and Brazil

Brazil follows a more decentralised form of federalism and gives special importance to the municipalities. Porto Alegre’s successful 'participatory budgeting' is a role model for the world. India can learn from both the positive and negative aspects of the Brazilian system

NCTC_3 Courtesy: Wikimedia
14 August 2014

Counter-terrorism and federalism

A powerful National Counter Terrorism Centre may appear to contravene the federal spirit, but it is a necessary step. The opposition of several state governments to the potential encroachment upon their powers by the NCTC can be addressed if the centre and states share the responsibility of combating terrorism

Ashoka lions with flag_210x140 Courtesy: in.com
14 August 2014

A renewed federalism of consonance

The government in New Delhi can address roadblocks in centre-state relations in various ways: by allowing fiscal federalism through such measures as a reallocation of resources; customising central schemes to state-specific needs; and by formulating policies through consultation, not confrontation

GST_Indian_rupee Courtesy: Associated Press
14 August 2014

How far away is fiscal federalism?

The debates and delays over the Goods and Services Tax exemplify how fiscal federalism is evolving through threats to its original design and rearguard action by states. Rebalancing the centre-state relationship is not easy, but an enlightened fiscal federalism is indispensable to keeping the republic together

Sushma with Wunna Maung Lwin Courtesy: MEA/Government of India
11 August 2014

Myanmar in the ASEAN matrix

Myanmar, currently listed as one of the least developed nations by the UN, provides its neighbouring countries the opportunity to invest in one of the world’s last few business frontiers. Sushma Swaraj on her maiden visit to Nay Pyi Taw should continue to strengthen ties based on economic goals to develop largely underdeveloped areas along the common border as well use Myanmar’s increasing weight in the ASEAN grouping