The future of Australian federalism : comparative and interdisciplinary perspectives / Gabrielle Appleby, Nicholas Aroney, and Thomas John (editors).

Includes papers presented at a conference hosted by the Law Council of Australia and the Centre for Public, International and Comparative Law at the University of Queensland in July 2008.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Content:
1 - Australian federalism: past, present and future tense. Pp. 1-24;
By Gabrielle Appleby, Nicholas Aroney, Thomas John;
Part I - The federal-state balance. Pp. 25-112;
2 - The federal balance. Pp. 27-38;
By Stephen Gageler;
3 - The incredible shrinking federation: voyage to a singular state?. Pp. 39-65;
By French AC Robert;
4 - A sketch of the modern Australian federation. Pp. 66-74;
By AC Paul de Jersey;
5 - The still reluctant state: Western Australia and the conceptual foundations of Australian federalism. Pp. 75-95;
By Augusto Zimmermann;
6 - The division of power in federal systems: comparative lessons for Australia. Pp. 96-112;
By Taylor Greg;
Part II - Instituting structural reform: comparative perspectives. Pp. 113-210;
7 - Reforming German federalism. Pp. 115-140;
By Arthur B. Gunlicks;
8 - Polyphonic federalism: the United States experience. Pp. 141-156;
By Robert A. Schapiro;
9 - The rise of coercive federalism in the United States: dynamic change with little formal reform. Pp. 157-179;
By John Kincaid;
10 - The bargaining game: Canada as a new model of federal governance?. Pp. 180-196
By Thomas O. Hueglin;
11 - ‘Bis hierher sollst du kommen und nicht weiter’: the German Constitutional Court and the boundaries of the European integration process. Pp. 197-210;
By Cornelia Koch;
Part III - Federalism and multi-ethnic societies. Pp. 211-300;
12 - Dynamics of federalism: a comparative analysis of recent developments in federations and countries in transition to federalism. Pp. 213-227;
By Thomas Fleiner;
13 - Religious identities: testing the underlying preconceptions of Canadian federalism?. pp 228-249;
By Jean-François Gaudreault-DesBiens;
14 - Foedus Pacificum: a response to ethnic regionalism within nation states. Pp. 250-271;
By Suri Ratnapala;
15 - Federal diversity in Australia: a counter-narrative. Pp. 272-300;
By Nicholas Aroney, Scott Prasser, Alison Taylor;
Part IV - Fiscal federalism. Pp. 301-362;
16 - Fiscal federalism in Canada: principles, practices, problems. Pp. 303-319;
By Boadway Robin;
17 - Fiscal federalism: then and now. Pp. 320-338;
By Brian Galligan;
18 - Fiscal decentralisation and macroeconomic performance in Australia. Pp. 339-362;
By Philip Bodman;
Part V - Reforming Australia's federal system. Pp. 363-462;
19 - Escaping purgatory: public opinion and the future of Australia's federal system. Pp. 365-392;
By A. J. Brown;
20 - The Rudd reforms and the future of Australian federalism. Pp. 393-413;
By Alan Fenna, Geoff Anderson;
21 - Cooperative arrangements in comparative perspective. Pp. 414-431;
By Cheryl Saunders;
22 - Federalism and the Australian judicial system – back to the future: the autochthonous expedient and other devices. Pp. 432-445;
By Margaret White;
23 - Federalism in Australia: gazing in the crystal ball of constitutional reform. Pp. 446-462;
By Anne Twomey;
Index. pp. 463-484.

Religious identities : testing the underlying preconceptions of Canadian federalism? / Jean-François Gaudreault-DesBiens -- Foedus pacificum : a response to ethnic regionalism within nation states / Suri Ratnapala -- Federal diversity in Australia : a counter narrative / Nicholas Aroney, Scott Prasser and Alison Taylor -- Part IV. Fiscal Federalism -- Fiscal federalism in Canada : principles, practices, problems / Robin Boadway -- Fiscal federalism : then and now / Brian Galligan -- Fiscal decentralisation and macroeconomic performance in Australia / Philip Bodman -- Part V. Reforming Australia's Federal System --Escaping purgatory : public opinion and the future of Australia's federal system / A. J. Brown -- The Rudd reforms and the future of Australian federalism / Alan Fenna and Geoff Anderson -- Co-operative arrangements in comparative perspective / Cheryl Saunders -- Federalism and the Australian judicial system : back to the future : the autochthonous expedient and other devices / Margaret White -- Federalism in Australia : gazing in the crystal ball of constitutional reform / Anne Twomey.

"At a time when the operation and reform of federal relations within Australia is squarely on the political agenda, this volume brings together eminent lawyers, economists and political scientists who explain, analyse and evaluate the theory and principles underpinning the Australian federal system. Topics covered include the High Court's approach to the interpretation of the Constitution and how this has influenced federal relations in practice; different forms of inter-governmental co-operative arrangements; fiscal relations between the Commonwealth and the States; and emergent ethno-cultural and socioeconomic diversity within the Australian Federation. Comparative perspectives from Germany, America, Canada, Switzerland, India and the European Union provide unique prisms through which to view the operation of the Australian system and to contemplate its reform"-- Provided by publisher.