Brazilian federalism

Abstract

The vicissitudes of the Palácio da Alvorada that have placed Brazil in the forefront of global concerns are framed beyond the modern design that Niemeyer built in the 60s of the last century in a framework that has evolved on a federal pattern trying to unite form of government and territorial form of State. In this paper we analyze the keys of Brazilian federalism making an essential historical review of its configuration and focusing on the characteristic features of this Federation. Its structural elements, the complex competence design that functionally implements every Federation, the metajuridical evolution of the model hand in hand with intergovernmental relations and the financial aspect with which all federal projects must be accompanied. Two matrix ideas have constituted the epicenter of the constitutional evolution of Brazil, democracy and federalism. The physical and population magnitude of this State imposes greater demands on the organizational formulas that have struggled to be applied in the middle of the South American subcontinent. To know Brazil, it is necessary to know its configuration as a Federal State.

Summary
I. BRAZILIAN CONSTITUTIONAL POLITICAL EVOLUTION IN A FEDERAL FRAMEWORK. 1. Unitarianism, colonialism and monarchy 2. Embryonic federalism: republicanism and constitutionalism 3. Consolidation of federalism: redemocratization and cooperation. II. COMPONENTS OF THE BRAZILIAN FEDERATION 1. The Union 2.- Federated States 3. Municipalities 4. Federal District III. COMPETENCIAL REPRESENTATIVE 1. From a dual federalism: competences of the Union and the Municipalities. 2. Up to a cooperative federalism: exclusive, common and concurrent competences. 3. The guarantees of the division of powers. IV. THE FINANCE OF THE FEDERAL SYSTEM V. INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS: BETWEEN COOPERATION AND INTERVENTION. VI. DILEMMAS OF FEDERALISM IN THE BRAZILIAN CASE