Federalism in Asia: Trends and Prospects

Seven years ago, the Asian region was subject of a resurgence in the idea and prospects of federalism. Nepal had passed a new federal constitution, elite level forums had been established in Myanmar and Sri Lanka to debate federal constitutional reforms and the Philippines was drafting a federal constitution for public consultation. But today, federalism in Nepal is being challenged, and the federalisation processes in Myanmar, Sri Lanka and the Philippines have been halted. At the same time, India has been the subject of a centralisation agenda, while federal democracy in Pakistan and Malaysia continues to falter. This panel invites calls from federalism scholars and country and comparative experts to share their research on federal developments and debates emanating from the region that elucidate significant trends or that have implications for the region and its federal future.