One of the most dramatic developments of the final decades of the 20th century is the unravelling of apartheid in the Republic of South Africa. The question that the world asks is, Will this evolution result in the first true liberal democracy in sub-Saharan Africa - one founded on self-government and full and equal citizenship for all?.

Many countries are currently debating the merits and implications of a federal-type dispensation. Some fear that it may encourage regional apartheid and discrimination, while others see it as a cohesive force. Federalism, however, has many faces and applications, and it offers a host of ways to accommodate the constitutional needs of a particular country. Evaluating Federal Systemsillustrates and compares a variety of experiences that countries across the world have had in the practical application of federal principles, and moots a long-felt need by analyzing recent international...