The Evolution of Federalism as a System of Governance in South Asia: A Historical Appraisal

  • Muhammad Reza Kazimi

Abstract

Abstract Views: 135

Federation as a form of government evolved while seeking a balance between security and identity. Unitary states were the earliest and most natural form of government but after tribulations, it was discovered that they were not congruent to identity. The various sized of German and Italian principalities before their Nineteenth Century unification are an illustration. Throughout history, Europe has been seeking every option between a city-state and empire. America is an important stage because it had been a Confederation during its Freedom Struggle but later found Federation more feasible. In British India, federalism presented itself as a solution when the Congress wanted power to be located in the center and the Muslim League wanted it located in the provinces. The last such attempt, the Cabinet Mission Plano of 1946 having failed, Pakistan when independent opted for a federation because in the words of the first Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan: “Geography dictates it.”

Keywords: Security, identity confederation, federation, The Christian Republic proposal

References

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Published
2020-02-19
How to Cite
Kazimi, M. R. (2020). The Evolution of Federalism as a System of Governance in South Asia: A Historical Appraisal. Journal of History and Social Sciences, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.22555/jhss.v10i1.87
Section
Articles