2025/01/01 by Salvatore Barbaro, Julia M Rode · 1 voice
Social Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Political Systems and Governance #Electoral Systems and Political Participation #Reformed Theology and Governance
paper · doi:10.1093/publius/pjae050
openalex publication_date 2025/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/14
Abstract In federal systems, subnational governments often take highly asymmetric positions on questions of self-rule and shared rule. The German case is emblematic of this dynamic, as some state governments assert their primary role in legislative functions while others highlight the benefits of coordinated and uniform decision-making. Although the existing literature recognizes these differences, it often fails to fully disentangle the underlying reasons for this variation. This article examines several factors shaping the divergent positions of Länder, including historical legacies, party ideology, and cultural and religious differences. Our findings indicate that financial capacity is a key determinant of Länder governments’ stances on federalism questions.