European Federalism



European Federalism

This paper analyzes the similarities and differences between European federalism and other federal experiments in modern history, including the U.S. Several existing federal systems in Europe, including Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Belgium and the European Union. Germany and the EU are the only example in the world where the federal upper house (Bundesrat and the Council), is neither elected nor appointed, but is composed of governments of their constituents. In Germany, during the first half of the twentieth century, Adolf Hitler viewed federalism as an obstacle. As he wrote in Mein Kampf, National Socialism must claim the right to ...