Federalism And The Perspectives Of Democracy Politics Essay

Federalism And The Perspectives Of Democracy Politics EssayThe term Federalism which was introduced during 18 and 19 centuries in multi ethnic societies to piece divergent societal needs in the direction of unity eyepatch reserving diversity, an opposite cartridge clip has been propounded in multi-cultural societies. While, fieldism as a semi form _or_ scheme of policy-making relation-making and legal theory in distinguishable societies has its own char bouteristics, and ground on the considerations of the units it shows divergent performances.The technologic conversion along with the maturation of inter study information engagements fetch created a dandy revolution in the grammatical construction of administrations and part revolve arounds, the giving medications decline took place gradu tout ensembley, great economic poles developed the extensive nedeucerk of power as a result, those case, local, and regional units supporting connection between local capit al with worldwide capital gain the policy-making power. The Europe Union seeks to spread and reserve its historical achievements and concentrate its potentials to travel on against the enormous revolutions of Asia and AmericaNational units practic solelyy savour common culture, bill, and territory, having a common semipolitical image they set about to submit fulfil over backgrounds for having collaboration with other nations. National units, contrastive kinspersonifys and ethnics in collaboration member in a common territory acquire bailiwick identicalness and defend their fieldity and territory.We sacrifice federalism clay with its different forms in the political perspective of the world. It seems to be an effective approach for solving field problems in multi-cultural societies. (Yahyaee, 1384 15)Globalization, in the present time, is changing m whiztary and m acetary markets, production and consumption toward globalizing public opinions by applying commu nicational devices lead to globalization, so, the inscrutable power of the governments argon declining and multi- structural powers atomic number 18 developing.2. Research design and its importanceProp wizardnts of federalism, who have attracted a lot of attentions from political forces and elites of national units, believe that dividing power among the units paves the slipway for more than(prenominal) collaboration and develops national individualism. As a result, not only the territorial integrity is damaged, but also beef ups national consequence among national units and different ethnics. In this regard, the democratic institutes argon created and organized by volume. In this situation, the democratic cash dispenser of country paves the way for discourse downstairs its shadow intellectual and helpful thoughts take form.Federalism contributes to the development of republic, political culture, and gaining experience as a result, political procedureies will be more i ndustrious in the national units democratic and constant institutes ar established political elites leave seclusion and contribute to training political practiti iodiners, finally sophisticated and skillful political practitioners receive trainings necessary for managing the country. (Bashyryeh, 199537)In countries in which different nations live with their various features the development of democracy, politics and saving reflex in their political lifetime, so that respecting nations and ethnics rights is included in the constitutional faithfulness.With respect to relative and classic democracy in which the will of majority is dominant, however, sovereignty is in the hands of that nation which has the majority and determines the political good deal of the country in uniformity their interests. So, the principles of democracy and regulations of multi- national societies can not secure freedom and rights of minor nations and ethnics.Federalism as a pervasive administrative and political approach has high functions and potentials that correspond with the needs of plural societies and is able to act upon their structural problems.In rove to contact this approach in plural societies and adopt it with different situations, first of all we should undertake cultural activities along with political and sparing measures. (Kolaee, 2002 18)Federalism or dividing power among different centers prevents power from concentrating in one center this in turn leads to the development of democracy in the units. Fulfilling these situations, federalism activates political parties, trains more political elites to participate in countrys leadership and management. If the elites are familiar with social and economic features and needs of units, the can adopt more suited policies then they can apply communicational digs, find effective resolutions for the current problems, and develop their kins with multitude. If on that intend is come together relationship between governmental institutes and people, independent institutes will be spareed to run across performances of political power, this matter at last results in democracy development.3. History and definition of federalism Federalism originates from the Latin word Foedos that means agreement or treaty. Thus, cooperation and unity among different groups and units in search of establishing larger units to fulfill their common verifiables is called federalism. (Habermas, 1996 13)In political terms, federal government is a large-minded of political organization in which political power is divided among small political units apiece one has its own regulations and institutes that function in uniformity with their interests and public or group origins. In such a organization, borders of power and units management are determined by certain(p) regulations.Organizations of different federal nations are not the same. Based on their social, political, and geographical situations they have dif ferent features.The United States, Russian Federation, Federal Germany, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Switzerland, and so forth have different structural and administrative organizations. Federal governments have two distinctive administrative arrangings. First, Federal administration has all the country under its coverage. This kind of administration is an active center conducting administrative activities nationwide. Besides this organisation, thither are plenty of institutes and organizations selected directly by peoples votes that function under peoples monitoring.In the second frame countrys administration is divided to smaller units. These administrative units include province to region. Therefore, they are called national or regional units. These federative units function within their borders and are considered to be trustworthy for a part of country or a certain tribe.Then, federalism is applied to a kind of administration in which there is a pervasive national government as well as several smaller national units. According to their population or regions, these units divide the political power among them and establish political government based on which. (Yahyaee, 2006 62)If the process of uniting was in the same direction with the development of modern culture and economy as well as freedom, equality, besidesice, and practice of justness of nature, there would be better results. As the process of nationalization in those western countries established based on power concourse and dividing it has led to democracy establishment.Switzerland, for instance, has got a promising history and experience in federative governing body. This country has always sought to expand this system in accordance with public and states rights. Thus, Switzerland has strengthened relationships among people, culture, language, and various needs. (Thurow, 2001 86)Lack of centrality has expanded states abilities in follow outing their activities, created closer relations hips between people and governmental agencies and finally, thoroughly has developed democracy across partnership. As a result, Switzerland is considered to be a member of world-wide family in which all the social and individual rights are secured exactly. A reason of Switzerlands social and frugal developments lies in its administrative and political system that it is for a while that are managed federatively. Based on the above discussions, one can make this conclusion that in those countries where different nations and ethnics live with their special cultures and languages, they can pave the ways for a comprehensive progress.In January 1918, the first constitutional law of Russian Soviet Federative Social nation (RSFSR) in the forth nationwide congress of the soviets was approved. That constitutional law was approved to be applied in managing Russian Federative Republic, as by then the Soviet Union has not been established. (Kolaee, 2002 18)The constitutional law of 1918 which had suggested its objective as transition from a bourgeois democracy to a proletarian one, at the same time had discussed about nations equal rights and had proposed federalism in accordance with the development of different cultures.While evaluating the Czarina Russia, Lenin had said Russia is the prison of the public it is just through establishing the Soviet Union that we can secure all rights of the nations. According to this statement, denomination 70 of the Soviet Unions constitutional law had named that country as a multi-national one and its federal system in the form of soviets provides all nations with equal rights. (Kolaee, 2002 170)Like Italy, Spain was ruled by centralist and dominant government of Franco. During that period, fascist and pen fascist thoughts were dominant in the political system. Therefore, democratic movements and public institutes were suppressed strongly. at a lower place the pretext of trying to weaken the central government, regional and local movements, too, were suppressed and their members were pursued. After the death of Franco, there were odd changes in Spains political system. In 1987, the constitutional law changed. With respect to cultural and ethnic features, self-determined regions with different possibilities and authorities were established. The new law supported and guaranteed those self-determined regions. As a result, after the death of Franco they undertook funny measures in democraticazing their society. They began some(prenominal) activities in accordance with wish of centrality, determined ways of undertaking their measures and their borders to be able to carry off with the central government.When the new constitutional law was approved, gibe to cultural, lingual, geographical, religious, and scotch differences 17 self-determined regions were established. (Yahyaee, 2006 64)Canadian federal system is consisted of 10 units 9 of them are ruled by English speakers and the other one is governed by f rench speakers. Quebec is the only state French speakers have control over. This state is economically, especially in industry field developed. Some social groups, especially extremist nationalists seek to separate this state from Canada. (Khobroyepak, 1999 186)4. Basic features of federative systemsFederalism forms based on two principles. First, based on population that is, it should have comfortable similarities. Second, based on geographical regions which should have some differences with other regions. (Khobroyepak, 1999 190)The number of constituent units depends on geographical divisions. Thus, these units take on different names. In some countries, for example, we have units called state, province, region, self-determined, and autonomous governments.The United States of America is consisted of some 50 states, Federal Republic of Germany of 16 units, Russian Federation of 89 different units with special rights and authorities, India of 25 states and Belgium of 6 regions. (K hobroyepak, 1999 192)A federal system functions independently in its privileged affairs. In federal systems public institutes are controlled by people, as political institutes are selected by people. Their performances, then, are controlled by people and democratic institutes which are not under the control of government.Canada is consisted of 10 federals and 11 administrative centres. Thus, federal systems are called multi-cantered systems. (Khobroyepak, 1999 193)Nowadays, units of federal systems are not able to accomplish great projects by themselves and need the cooperation of other units. This element creates unity among the units.Federalism is an administrative system and a rule of governing in which there are different centres of power. Un interchangeable centralized systems which are ruled from one centre, in federal system there is a pervasive national government with several regional governments differing from autonomous or self-determined governments remarkably. Two-pa rted federal systems consist of 3 power centres. Attending the applications of refugees, accepting or rejecting foreigners residing or ways of settling them in different states, as well as establishing different associations are among the responsibilities of the states. finale makings and performances of the states should correspond with expectations of the federal.Those units established as state or region having common culture and language with other unite, confine their activities mostly to development, construction, housing, water supply, conserving natural resources, and environment conservation.Educational and cultural activities of these units have their own regulations enacted by the federal governments which are carried out across the federal country. Units are mostly engaged in economical and constructive activities. There are different centers for making and writ of execution decisions in federal governments as units are responsible for monitoring and observing politica l and economical regulations and the centre has no if any intervene in units interior affairs. Finally, those units have their representatives in central organizations and have direct participation in decision makings as it is one of the basic features of federalism.Establishing federal governments without units having economic possibilities is impossible, as units legal and administrative guarantees depend on their financial power. (Yahyaee, 2006 95) It is why in establishing units based on population and geographical regions economical potentials and financial power are more emphasized on. Executing this policy in some cases, however, raises dissatisfaction or ca substance abuses tension between national and ethnical groups.Most of the federal countries are divided based on geographical researches and establish their units according to these researches. These geographical regions are located alongside individually other according to their common political and economical interests . People of these regions may have different cultures, races, religions and special features. (Maghsudi, 2001 241) These features include race, culture, language, and national and religious beliefs. So, geographical units bet about some cultural and natural differences. These cultural and national differences whether have a long history or are created by the pass of time or political and historical events. Anyhow, these differences are of great importance in establishing federal units.Certainly, in the constitutional law of a federal country the relationship between the center and its related units and visa versa has been determined, their authorities and obligations, too, have been explained.In adopting federalism as a political system for a country, cultural, lingual, religious and ethnical differences have great importance. Among the important features of federalism one can raise to power division among the units, it is while we can meet the needs of those civilians who have di fferent languages and cultures by adopting policies like corporatism, pluralism, and functionalism, but these concepts have no consistency with federalism. Dividing power according to geographical region and organizing federal system are the inseparable parts of federal systems. (Maghsudi, 2001 243) Thus, the term federalism is applied to those units having geographical borders and interior regulations while alive(p) in the central government.In federal systems, will of people can not alone influence on some of their wishes or fulfill them, it is the federal units and their residents who are determinant, as they propose their wills to the national hookup and control its performances. Thus, in the process of policy making in federal governments not only the people of country but also residents of the units affect this process.The number of sevens members depends on population. The more population a unit has, the more representatives it has. As a principle of federal systems, u nits have equal rights in the parliament and no one can change these rights for the benefits of others.People of those countries that have federal political systems have got multi- identities that is, from one hand they have national identity and from the other hand they have a single identity belonging to their unit.These dependencies are either regional and geographical or ethnical and population in each case those people simultaneously have more than one identity. They can refer to federal administrations or units organizations to have their applications attended. In most of the cases, they refer to their local organizations. As they can easily control their performances.Among other features of federalism we can name power division, units equality and having equal rights. These features exactly correspond to the essence of federalism. (Castells, 1997 392)From international laws point of view, constituent units of federal country are not considered to be a whole and independent co untry, so, in international associations they do not enjoy the same benefits with independent countries. However, they can engage in some mutual economical contracts. Federal country attends the international associations on behalf of its related units and functions by their names.5. Federalism and democracyIn federal systems public and democratic institutes control over government and administrative organizations performances, mainly in executing rules with respect to the different centers of power will be more effective. In this regard, federalism with its certain structure and regulations provides all the necessary possibilities for executing rules and expanding democracy for all the people and national or ethnical groups. We do not mean that other countries having centralized or self-determined structures are unable in executing democratic rules or respecting human rights. Some countries, especially those developed centralized ones with respect to their social and cultural diffe rences produce macro instruction policies, and then apply them in accordance with the interests of society and social groups.In a country where different nations live, development and institutionalization of democracy is in contrast with power concentration in a centre, as in such political organizing governments power increasingly grows so that by applying its power and relying on one of those reasons, it turns its people to some peasants and bases and governs them easily. (Maghsudi, 2001 250) If power is divided and the law has sovereignty in a society, people are allowed to use these potentials and control governments performances. As a result, different units in a federal country contribute to survival of the fittest and development of democracy. Proponents of democracy in multi-national countries defend nations rights and federalism.It should be said that federalism can not spontaneously reinforce democracy, and even some kinds of federalism may develop inequalities among the nations and weaken their correlation. Trying to find a form of democracy which can set civil nationality and equal citizenship rights in a society, prevent national and ethnical prejudgments is one of the most important duties of proponents of democracy in different societies.In federal systems, people have more participation in their political fate, political and economical competitions revolve the society, and in turn, this contributes to developing democracy and institutionalizing it. In societies where different nations with different cultures are living, creating solidity and nationalization has taken a lot of time, has spoiled appropriate opportunities and the necessary correlation for public progress has adopted a lot of challenges. Therefore, by reserving nations identity we can pave the ways for cooperation create voluntary unity to reach common objectives.Federal system with its special structure prepares necessary opportunities in this regard, as the civilians not only participate in their unit, but also shrink from remarkable roles in the political activities of their society. Undertaking economical competitions along with exhibiting art works, sports and other activities of units lead to the development of different sectors this process, then, results in more correlation among nations it is why federal system is considered to be an effective tool in expanding and maintaining democracy.In single and centralized systems, however, the cooperation between nations and different ethnics takes place in accordance with class and group interests, but this cooperation is found to be fragile because if these interests are damaged, this cooperation will break down. This situation is more common in those countries which have not yet formed civil society or their social institutes are not so effective. Anyhow, these two administrative systems are organized with respect to social situations, population and geographical structure and have their special feature s.We should remind that democracy and its institutes do not form just in federal systems, as some countries with single administrative systems have made some remarkable progresses in creating civil society and developing democratic institutes, European developed countries can be practised examples in this regard. So, having federal systems does not assure providing democracy and respecting international necessitate of human rights, but democratic institutes should develop to allow people to have direct intervene in their political fate.Having federal or pen federal law does not guarantee providing social and individual freedoms, as federal system is different from uniparty systems, marital dictatorship, and totalitarian regimes. Federalism is based on this concept that its related units have their own policy makings while having direct intervene in policy makings of the central government. Thus, the structure of representation takes shape and power will be divided. (Khobroyepak, 1 999 202) the units reserve their features including language, religion, culture, history, and economy then make effort to reinforce them and patrol their national interests.In the case of having different power centers, the possibilities of centralization and empowering of a centre or a certain group disappear. Also, the system of democracy observation is applied by the units to reserve them, as observing law articles guarantees their survival. In those countries where federal system is adopted successfully, power centers seek to create political and economical cooperation among units to enjoy their benefits.Most of the policy researchers believe that federalism is one of the best choices and methods for supplying rights of ethnical, religious, and national minorities. As the law guarantees these rights and plurality of power centers pave the ways for reserving social structure and explaining its differences. The units keep their cultural, social, and economical identity. Therefore, they would not concede from identity crisis and this, in turn, contributes to correlation among nations.Some countries governed by single systems try to develop democratic rights and solve ethnical problems by establishing autonomy and considering geographical situations. It is while supplying just political rights can not provide social justice, but the backgrounds of economical justice should be arranged.Accepting plurality federal countries get more ready for social revolutions. Therefore, accepting and developing democracy in these countries has prior backgrounds and can institutionalize easily, as cultural and social differences are accepted by these countries, so trying to reserve plurality results in rapid growth of culture. Ultimately, the bed for development of democracy and social and economical progress will be available.Stable democracy in federal systems depends on the relationships between units and the relationships between the centre and its related units. federal agency division among units and units participation in federal decision makings indicate of democracy development across society and peoples participation in their political fate.There are some federal systems, in which the units dont have sufficient power or authority, and then they are unable to decide about their social, political, and even economical fate in comparison to autonomous regions, these units enjoy fewer authorities. Therefore, political participation of units in the central government and peoples role in determining policies of units show the degree of maturity and development of democracy in these societies.Owning to the remarkable developments in computer engineering in the recent decades, now different countries are closer to each other and have developed their regional cooperation. (Falsafi, 1998 249)Due to plurality in power centers, federalism has shortened peoples infinite from these centers and has allowed them to have more participation. In those countries that have democratic systems and there is a single political system managing society politically, people participate in their political fate freely and select their representatives in accordance with their interests, then send them to the parliament and accompany the execution of policies. Constitutional laws of federal countries are more often democratic, liberal, and have some features that encourage people to participate in their fate. It seems that all those countries which have any kind of political systems seek to display their constitutional laws as democratic by adding some democratic articles to them. It is beyond doubt that having some democratic articles in law does not indicate of democracy and has no administrative guarantees. As people and public institutes dont have power of monitoring and in the case of repressing the regulations by the ruling government have no means to defend it.In federal systems observing law is possible through different power centers. As form ing dictatorship and controlling all the centers of power is tricky and with regard to their special situations, suppressing all the units can not be easily possible. It is why reserving constitutional law and operating democracy in federal countries are easier. (Falsafi, 1998 249) unfortunately, there are some social and economical discriminations owning to them all the social groups dont have equal opportunities and possibilities. So, federalism by having extensive possibilities for expanding democracy and freedom across the society can not apply democracy by itself but social, economical, and political backgrounds should be provided for the society to take steps towards democracy and social justice.Enjoying extensive potentials for solving social problems and identity crisis, federalism can not solve all social problems and in action encounters some shortages. Constituent parts of federal government act in accordance with their economical and social interests, and then create th e sufficient regulations for their social and cultural development. They try to reserve their identity and reinforce it. Among these units, there are some minor groups or ethnics deprived from their social rights, and as are in minority can not reserve their interests and in special situations are suppressed strongly. So, while has those extensive potentials, federalism is found to be unable to develop pervasive democracy for all groups and ethnics as a result it keeps social contradictions and crisis inside itself. For instance, we can refer to the situation of Negroes in different states of America. They are unable to reserve their interests and rights. The policy of their complete rejection or acceptance is adopted. As a result, we observe sometimes some social crisis and violence in those states that are accompanied with polices harsh suppression. (Mawlaee, 2001 124)Thus, it is the civilians who are responsible for reserving and observing their civil rights. Federalism as a poli tical system with its structural plurality is able to fulfill the charter of human rights and can adopt it in its units.6. Challenges of federalismTremendous economical and social differences among units of federal government and its reflection in lifestyle have led to different approaches to international issues, treaties, conventions, and agreements. Federal government signs the charter of human rights and other agreements and undertakes to fulfill them. But the units considering expectations of the central government as intervene in its interior affairs, refuses executing those agreements. Thus, executing the contents of these treaties that support human rights anywhere and in any situation encounter different problems. Above all, in countries like US, Canada, and Australia that are managed by federal systems, the local people suffer from different deprivations these deprivations do extensive damages to the federal system and put their justice under question. As, the units while have enormous possibilities, can not supply their ethnics and smaller groups rights and in some cases succumb to suppressing them.Canada, for example, adopting federal system, has allowed the residents of Quebec to use French language and has provided them with all the necessary possibilities to develop their language it is while that Canada does not allow other speakers to develop their cultures and languages. In spite of those great possibilities federalism has allocated for the freedom of different nations living in a geographical region, can not solve all social problems thus, cooperation among units is inevitable if we want to strengthen life levels and freedom.When the Soviet Union scattered, in those countries once had been governed by federal systems, separation increased unprecedentedly. A thrive of blind nationalism covered those societies. War and murder replaced peaceful coexistence. (Kolaee, 2002 138) Proposing the right of separation and mentioning it in the law preve nts accomplishing long-term projects in federal countries. Distrust in an unknown future leads to political crisis, thus its economical and social results will appear in interior policy makings and international relations. The danger of separation weakens countries political stability. (Bashyryeh, 1995 300) This process directly affects domestic and foreign investments and determines policial and economical fate of the country. In search of their short-term interests, units avert long-term cooperation with other units. As a result, administrative organizations of federal government will encounter problems in macro policy makings which consider al peoples interests in long-term.7. Discussion and conclusionWhile the development of technology using satellite and information networks pass the borders and do not confine themselves to national governments and geographical borders , imperativeness on nationalism- in its chauvinistic form-, lingual and ethnical excellence indicates of a hi storic straying and lack of knowledge. It is taken for granted that any activity in the direction of federalism and political and economical unions requires extensive and wanton insights in which moderateness and negligence replace ethnical and cultural differences, then the prosper