Decentralization, democracy and sub-national governance: comparative reflections for policy-making in Brazil, Mexico and the US

This paper reports on a major study undertaken between 2000-2008 to assess the effect of decentralization and changes in democratic practice upon sub-national policymaking. The analysis uses several reference points: intra-governmental relations at the sub-national level as well as intergovernmental relations and the changing nature of civil society. Developed by a network of scholars, the paper outlines a comparative research strategy that was adopted in order to analyze the tensions created by decentralization and the recasting of federalism in three countries - Brazil, Mexico, and the USA. In addition to examining the vertical relations of political devolution up and down the administrative hierarchy, we also examine the horizontal opening of the political space between the various branches of governments by including the separation of powers and the exercise of checks and balances and monitoring. The paper concludes with reflections about the future of federalism and sub-national policymaking, and asks: whither federalism?