Understanding Federalism

Wikipedia
says it is is a political concept in which a group of members are bound together (Latin: foedus, covenant) with a governing representative head. The term federalism is also used to describe a system of the government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and constituent political units (like states or provinces). Federalism is a system in which the power to govern is shared between national and central (state) governments, creating what is often called a federation. Proponents are often called federalists.

Federalism is the type of politics wherein a group of members create a sovereign constitution with central governing authority and political units.

Wiki uses the example of India as a unique form of Federalism... 28 states and 7 Union territories, but with exceptions based on caste and/or class of individuals or ethnic minorities.  Does this give rise to uncontrollable separatist movements? i.e too much freedom = no enough central control?  

US is given as another example where parts came together to create a functional whole.  Though, the debate continues to rage about state vs. central government control of things like speed limits and health care.

I'm curious about Nepal's process and their vision of the term. 

Indian Federalism

The Economist talks about the different separatist movements here happening in India, most notable the Gorkhas living in West Bengal who have been "at" the Gorkhaland movement since the 70's (check facts)

With states created as recently as 2000, Indian government seems to pay attention to the needs of disenfranchised ethnic groups and listen to their struggles presuming that creating a separate states does indeed address the needs of these communities.

At what cost? What is the goal of Indian nationalism? How does this impact the region economically?

How does India's bent toward balkanization of the country show an example for Nepal who's government is trying to address the same issues?

More than One Story

Power, stereotypes, and seeing them and others as more than one dimension.

What other examples are there - personal?

Good for - FSS session about perspectives, facilitation (in English) about stereotypes, unpacking assumptions, looking at others in a new light.

Ethnicity and Seperatist Movements

Basques in Spain from CNN - Basque Movement (est. 1959) labeled a terrorist group by the US.

Maoists (Naxals or Naxalites) in India from CNN - Suspected terrorist activity in northeastern India.  These guys have been at it since 1960.

Big Question always arises with students as we are trying to understand the idiosyncracies of the Maoist movement here in Nepal (official est. 1996) - What is the connection between these self-proclaimed separatists?  Do they have similar goals? methods? are they connected by anything other than morphed ideology from Mao's Cultural Revolution in China?  How closely are they following traditional Maoist ideology?  Are they taking cues from each other?

Sanjib ji was telling me the other day that it was only just recently that the Naxalites in India had formally acknowledged the Maoists here in Nepal as a group they could look up to and emulate as they had truly been able to reform government and strive toward the goals set by their ideologies. 

Remains to be seen, no?