Managing Interdependencies in Federal Systems

Intergovernmental councils play a crucial role in coordinating public policy among federal governments, particularly in a complex, globalized context. This book argues that these councils serve as a safeguard for federal stability by incentivizing cooperation to address shared policy challenges. Through comparative analysis of fiscal and education reforms in Australia, Canada, Germany, and Switzerland, it highlights that the councils' effectiveness hinges on their institutional design and their relationship with other political mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of compromise and consensus in maintaining federal stability.