Federalism and Conflict Resolution

The Research Group on Federalism and Conflict Resolution at Canterbury Christ Church University is directed by Dr Paul Anderson.

Federalism as a tool of conflict resolution has become an increasingly important and studied theme of federal studies in recent years. Our Research Group on Federalism and Conflict Resolution at Canterbury Christ Church University examines the fundamental questions raised by the use of federalism as a tool of conflict resolution through an internationally comparative lens: Why is federalism a useful tool for conflict resolution, in which cases can a federal framework be applied to resolve conflict and under what circumstances do federal structures succeed as a tool of conflict resolution? In doing so, we look at federalism through different methodological and disciplinary perspectives, including peace studies, international relations, comparative politics, constitutional law, political economy, and sociological perspectives. The work of the research group revolves around five main themes: Conflict Resolution, Governance in Divided Societies, Identity Politics, New Federal Models and Territorial Politics.

The Centre’s aims can be defined by the triad of teaching, scholarship/research and consultancy. We offer a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses linked to federalism and conflict resolution, most notably our annual summer school on "Federalism, Conflict Resolution and Good Governance." Research associated with the group focuses on the use of autonomy as tools of conflict resolution as well as the experience of territorial more broadly in plurinational states and other divided societies. Case studies we have worked on include Bosnia, Canada, Myanmar, Spain and the UK. Finally, we are involved in a knowledge exchange project in on democratization and federalism in Myanmar. Our research group is also responsible for the website www.50shadesoffederalism.com which publishes short and easily accessible pieces on different aspects of federalism in the world.