New Federalism, State and Local Government in Mexico (proceedings), October 25-26, 1996

The specific aims of this research conference are to explore many of these issues in greater depth, so that scholars might share their insights with public officials, politicians and others who are in the vanguard of creating this new federalism. These issues are clearly embedded in the program (see the end of this Memoria for a copy). First we propose to examine new federalism in comparative perspective, with a view to exploring other countries' attempts to decentralize and how the constant tension between centralism and communitarianism has been resolved elsewhere (if it has). Second, we will examine how new federalism impacts upon inter-governmental relations, according different roles to the different levels of government, in effect "rendering unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's". Third, we will look at intra-government relations: the separation and reinvigoration of powers; the attempts to make those powers more accountable etc.