Federalism debates

The main task of a national government is to forge a national consensus on matters affecting the nation. There are issues wherein a national consensus can be forged such as currency controls; national defense; sovereignty over disputed territories in the South China Sea; treaties with other countries; and customs tariffs.

But there are other issues where a national consensus is not possible or even desirable. These may range from complex issues like land use policies where the framework  in Metro Manila will be vastly different than the Cordillera or the Caraga regions to simple decisions like location of building sites for public school classrooms or clinics. 

Within the present structure, there is recognition that there are decisions that should be made on a regional basis like minimum wage levels which are done on a regional basis. However, these regional oriented decisions are made by the national  government and not by representatives of the regional citizens.

Pierre E. Trudeau states: “Federalism is by its very essence a compromise and a pact. It is a compromise in the sense that when national consensus on all things is not desirable or cannot really obtain, the area of consensus is reduced in order that consensus on some things can be reached. It is a pact or quasi treaty in the sense that the terms of that compromise cannot be changed unilaterally.”

On separatism

The danger of separatism exists whether a nation has a unitary or federal form of government. If the citizens of a certain region believe that it will be to their people’s benefit, then there will be a movement for separatism. The Muslim groups in Mindanao have waged a struggle for their own state for centuries. No amount of nationalism or appeal for national unity will satisfy legitimate demands for separatism by a cohesive national minority which may form the majority of a region’s population.

The only way to counter these movements for separatism is to ensure that there is a  more equitable progress among the regions. Presently, the economic obsession is consumed by increasing national GDP growth rate without regard for regional GDP growth rate. One way of offsetting the appeal of separatism is by investing time, energy and money in the different regions and seek to equalize GDP growth rates among the different regions.

Resources must also be diverted into ensuring that the nation’s territory is bound together by a network of railways, highways, airlines and ports.

On nationalism

Nationalism means devotion to a nation. The word “nation’ actually refers to the inhabitants of a country as well as the collective identities that could include shared history, law, language, political rights, religion and traditions .

Most nations in Asia that were formed into states in the past century included people who were set apart geographically (like Japan); historically (like China and Thailand); linguistically (like Korea); racially or religious basis (like Pakistan and Indonesia).

The most common attribute among most Asian countries is that these nations were actually formed by colonial masters and not through any national consensus. The Malay inhabitants belong to one race but have been divided into three different countries because of three different colonial masters. Malaysia became a British colony; Indonesia was a Dutch colony; and the Philippines was a Spanish colony. The British invaded the Philippines. If they had succeeded in taking this colony from Spain, Malaysia and the Philippines would now be one country. 

Nationalism seeks to preserve a nation’s culture. It seeks also to inculcate in its inhabitants pride in the nation’s achievements. Because of our historical colonial past, nationalism must be cultivated and nurtured. It does not matter whether the state is unitary or federal. Nationalism cannot be coerced. If the elite classes of a nation do not have a sense of nationalism, then the rest of the nation cannot be expected to develop that sense of pride. 

Forms of federalism

Even among those who espouse federalism, there must be a debate on which form is best suited for the country. If we look at federalism as a form of political partnership, there is a spectrum of political systems which are extremely broad:

• Unions. There are political units established in a way that constituent units preserve their respective identities primarily or exclusively through a general government rather than through dual governments. In Lebanon, the Christian and Muslim groups have a distinct separation of powers but have a united general government.

• Constitutionally Decentralized unions. These are basically unitary in form in the sense that ultimate authority rests with the central government, but they incorporate constitutionally protected sub-national units of government which have functional autonomy. An example is Japan.

• These are political units which combine a strong central government with strong regional or state governments, each one possessing powers delegated to it by the people through a constitution, each empowered to deal directly with the citizens in the exercise of its legislative, administrative and taxing powers, and each directly elected by its citizens. Some examples are the United States, Malaysia, Brazil, South Africa, India and Germany.

 There are other forms like confederations, associated states and leagues. There are other forms which are hybrids of the different types of political partnerships.

There is an urgent need to have more public debates and dialogues on federalism so that the people will be ready to make an informed and intelligent decision on such a critical change in our system of government.

Creative writing classes for kids/teens and adults

Young Writers’ Hangout for Kids & Teens on November 4 and November 18 (1:30-3pm/independent sessions). Turning Ideas Into Books for Adults with Karina Bolasco on November 11, 2017 (1:30pm-4:30pm). All sessions are at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street.  For registration and fee details text 0917-6240196 or email [email protected].

Email: [email protected]