Federalismi africani. Pluralismo e centralismo in Sudafrica, Nigeria ed Etiopia

This volume critically examines the adoption of federalism in Sub-Saharan Africa. Focusing on South Africa, Nigeria, and Ethiopia—three systems that appear constitutionally distinct at first glance—it unveils relevant similarities over the distribution of power between the center and the periphery. The study explores the challenges of adapting “classical” federal institutions to these contexts, while also considering the conditions that shape their practical implementation. Three areas of inquiry structure the analysis: constitutional transitions; the effectiveness of institutions representing territorial interests and the normative powers of subnational entities; and the role of constitutional adjudication. The findings suggest that, from a legal standpoint, decentralization remains weak, while ethnic factors are moderated by the need to preserve unity and indivisibility.