Federalism

This project integrates manifold strands of the institute’s comparative studies. From the outset, we have thereby aimed at both gaining insights for the autonomy of South Tyrol and conducting broader research that is based on the analysis of self-government arrangements worldwide.

In carrying out this research, we follow a decidedly trilingual approach and link scientific communities in German, Italian and English language. As a result of this bridging function, we conduct comparative studies in close collaboration with networks operating in each of these three languages (e.g. Europäisches Zentrum für Föderalismusforschung (EZFF), Devolution Club – Associazione per il dialogo costituzionale and International Association of Centers for Federal Studies (IACFS)). Trilingualism also characterizes the training events, consultancy activities, conferences and publications that are informed by this research on federalism and autonomy worldwide. In particular, the institute also edits book series in each of the three languages: “Minderheiten und Autonomien” (Nomos-Verlag, Baden-Baden), “Ius Publicum Europaeum” (CEDAM, Padova and ESI, Naples) and “Studies in Territorial and Cultural Diversity Governance” (Brill, Leiden and Boston).

The most notable publications, which aim at integrating the findings of long standing comparative studies, are the edited volume “Minority Accommodation through Territorial and Non-Territorial Autonomy” (Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2015) and the handbook “Comparative Federalism: Constitutional Arrangements and Case Law" (Oxford, Hart Publishing, 2017). Specifically for policy-makers and other practitioners interested in federalism, we have launched in 2016 the website “Autonomy Arrangements in the World“, which is contiuously extended with additional case studies and shall develop into an easily accessible online source of information on the practice of autonomy arrangements worldwide.