A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FEDERALISM AND ITS PRACTICE IN NIGERIA, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND GERMANY

Abstract

Federalism the world over does not have one single recipe. It follows that federations differ in practice subject to the provision of their constitutions and local circumstances. Societies are complex and institutional designs are not just simple, consequently, it is evidenced that similar institutions can operate differently in various political arrangements. The implication is that the way it is practiced in Nigeria could be different from the way it is practiced in the United States of America or Germany. However, federalism requires some measures of democratic tendencies capable of ushering in the rule of law as undemocratic federalism frustrates autonomy of the sub-nationals. Federalism entails mainly the devolution of power to at least two orders or tiers of government in which each of the orders of government operate separately and independently. Federalism accommodates autonomy and independence of the tiers of government even if they have to cooperate with each other. This article therefore, x-rayed the practice of federalism in Nigeria, the United States of America and Germany with a view to unravelling the differences in the various country’s practice of federalism and their similarities. This work recommended amongst other things, that there should be decentralization of powers in various federations as decentralization would encourage local participation, investments and developments. Again, policy-makers should consider and encourage broad-based laws that would enhance competition, cooperation and harmonization; and that democratic principles should be well entrenched and propagated.