The Theory and Practice of Federalism: A Critical Analysis of History and Global Trend

This research work sort to evaluate divergent theories and the practice of federalism especially with regards to the impact global trends have had on emerging democracies such as Nigeria. Efforts were equally geared towards establishing a relationship between the Principles, Nature and also the Essence of federalism from the ancient up until the modern era. This paper argues that there is no finished federal system or model in the world as every federal system in the world is in a process of becoming better. This paper therefore recommends that since Federalism is not universal but context/country dependent, efforts must be made by emerging democracies such as Nigeria in ensuring that institutional frameworks are built that will facilitate the rapid socio-economic development of their Federations.