This article illustrates the challenges involved in preparing a systematic comparison of two federal countries. It examines questions as to what explains similarities and differences in federal systems. It rejects any single-variable approach to explaining federalism but gives primacy to ideas...

After considerable debate about whether a democratic South Africa should be constituted on federal lines, the 1996 Constitution adopted three “distinctive, interdependent and interrelated” spheres of government. “Co-operative government” followed the German model, emphasizing...

This article reviews the literature on constitutional design and change, especially in territorially divided societies that have adopted or are considering the adoption of federal or federalist regimes. The study of these processes, it argues, must integrate normative and empirical analysis and...