Cities In Federal Constitutional Theory

The city as an independent subject of theorisation and investigation is an underexamined area of constitutional law. Although in recent years scholars have started to explore the legal dimension and place of urban areas, the study of cities as constitutional subjects remains very new, with a solid theoretical foundation yet to be established. Against this backdrop of general under-theorisation of cities in constitutional law and federalism, Cities in Federal Constitutional Theory seeks to offer a fresh theoretical account of cities as federalism subjects, exploring the increased importance they have acquired from political, economic, socio-cultural, and demographic perspectives. This volume directly addresses the relationship between cities, federalism, and localism (or subsidiarity), and responds to concerns about the scarcity of innovative theoretical discussion on the topic, while at the same time redefining accepted concepts like subsidiarity. Bringing together theoretical reflections on the city from established scholars, this edited collection significantly enriches the field of federal constitutional theory.

The city as an independent subject of theorisation and investigation is an underexamined area of constitutional law. Although in recent years scholars have started to explore the legal dimension and place of urban areas, the study of cities as constitutional subjects remains very new, with a solid theoretical foundation yet to be established. Against this backdrop of general under-theorisation of cities in constitutional law and federalism, Cities in Federal Constitutional Theory seeks to offer a fresh theoretical account of cities as federalism subjects, exploring the increased importance they have acquired from political, economic, socio-cultural, and demographic perspectives. This volume directly addresses the relationship between cities, federalism, and localism (or subsidiarity), and responds to concerns about the scarcity of innovative theoretical discussion on the topic, while at the same time redefining accepted concepts like subsidiarity. Bringing together theoretical reflections on the city from established scholars, this edited collection significantly enriches the field of federal constitutional theory.

"More than half the world's population lives in cities; by 2050, it will be more than 75%. Cities are often the economic, cultural, and political drivers of states, and of globalization more generally. Yet, constitutionally-speaking, there has been little to no consideration of cities (and especially megacities, with populations exceeding those of many of the world's countries) as discrete or distinct constitutional or federal entities, with political identities and economic needs that often differ from rural regions or so-called "hinterlands." This book intends to taxonomize the constitutional relationship between states and (mega)cities and theorize a way forward for considering the role of the city in future. In six chapters and a conclusion, the book considers the reason for this "constitutional blind spot," the relationship between cities and hinterlands (the center/periphery divide), constitutional mechanisms for dealing with regional differences, a comparative constitutional analysis of urban-center autonomy, and recent and future innovations in city governance"--

The European Yearbook of Constitutional Law (EYCL) is an annual publication devoted to the study of constitutional law. It aims to provide a forum for in-depth analysis and discussion of new developments in the field, both in Europe and beyond. This second volume examines the constitutional positioning of cities across space and time. Unrelenting urbanisation means that most people are, or soon will be, living in cities and that city administrations become, in many respects, their quintessential governing units. Cities are places where State power is operationalised and concretised; where laws and government policies transform from parchment objectives to practical realities. In a similar vein, cities are also places for the realisation of the constitutional rights and liberties enjoyed by individuals. The book is organised around three sets of relations that await further unpacking in theory as well as practice: that between cities and other institutions in the national constitutional architecture; that between cities and their inhabitants; and that between cities and international organisations. The contributions to this book show the marked diversity in the role and powers available to cities in Europe and beyond, and identify principles and approaches to help stipulate new ways of thinking about the legal role and relevance of cities going forward. Ernst Hirsch Ballin is distinguished university professor at Tilburg University and vice-dean for research of Tilburg Law School. Gerhard van der Schyff is associate professor at Tilburg Law School, Department of Public Law and Governance. Maarten Stremler is lecturer at Maastricht University, Faculty of Law, Department of Public Law. Maartje De Visser is associate professor at SMU School of Law, Singapore.

This widely acclaimed study of political power in a metropolitan community portrays the political system in its entirety and in balance—and retains much of the drama, the excitement, and the special style of New York City. It discusses the stakes and rules of the city's politics, and the individuals, groups, and official agencies influencing government action.

What underlies this development? In this concise and highly engaging work, Federal Appeals Court Judge and noted author (From Brown to Bakke) J. Harvie Wilkinson argues that America's most brilliant legal minds have launched a set of cosmic constitutional theories that, for all their value, are undermining self-governance.