Articles

Le fédéralisme, de la Grèce antique aux Provinces Unies des Pays-Bas

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Abstract

It is sometimes assumed that federal States are a novelty introduced at the end of the 18th century in America. The word «federal» is indeed a recent invention but since antiquity politica! structures have existed in Europe having characteristics which may be qualified as federal or confederal.
Originally the only power given to the «supra-national institutions» was common defence, but later other powers were added such as external relations, money, federal taxation, direct applicability of federal decisions, common nationality. A bicameral parliament was not introduced until the United Provinces of the Netherlands, but a federal chamber and executif were in existence since the early greek federations. In some
cases, there even was what may be called a supreme court.

How to Cite:

Schepers, S., (1976) “Le fédéralisme, de la Grèce antique aux Provinces Unies des Pays-Bas”, Res Publica 18(2), 167-177. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/rp.v18i2.19510