Federations and Second Chambers

This chapter is in essence a continuation of the general discussion on federalism and federations covered in the preceding chapter. Entrenched representation of sub units in federal institutions is key pillar of federations and this is often done through second chambers, though other federal institutions must also be representative of the states (consociational arrangements, intergovernmental and party platforms, the federal character principle in Nigeria, equitable representation of states in federal institutions—Article 39(3) of Ethiopia are examples). In this sense it is part of the conceptual discussion undertaken in the preceding chapter on federations, this time focusing on second chambers.