Central-local Relations in Asian Constitutional Systems

Description

This book examines territorial governance in Asia in the context of central-local relations. In an era of attempts to deal with issues such as decentralisation, conflict involving ethnic and religious enclaves, and demands for regional autonomy, it is timely to examine central-local relations from a pan-Asian perspective, assessing the attempts in a range of different systems, federal and unitary, to re-order constitutional structures for territorial governance, including local government. The book looks at the constitutional systems for organising central-local relations of this kind, and attempts to draw conclusions from contemporary experiences. Preface Summary Contents Contents List of Contributors Table of Cases Table of Legislation 1. Analysing Central-local Relations
in Asian Constitutional Systems Ethnic Rights, Power and Constitutional Ordering Local Self-Government, Local Elections and Local Regulation: How Much and How Far? The Dilemmas of Central and Local Power Conclusion Further Reading 2. Legalising Central-local
Relations in China The Hierarchy of Legal Norms Local Autonomy in a Centralised Framework Curbing 'Legislative Conflicts' in A Unitary State Combatting Local Protectionism Without the Courts? The Sun Zhigang Case: An Illustration
of China's Central-Local Relations New Reforms Driven by Centralisation Further Reading 3. Evolving Central-local Relations in a Contested Constitutional Democracy: The Case of Taiwan Constitutional Regulation Of Central-Local Relations Central-Local Relations in a Democratic Transitional Context Conclusion Further Reading 4. Central-local Relations and the Constitutional Discourse on
Political Decentralisation in 21st-Century Vietnam Introduction Political Decentralisation Constitutional Discourse on Political Decentralisation in 21st-Century Vietnam Analysis Conclusion Further Reading 5. Central-local Relations in Indonesia: Reforming the Integralist State Reformasi and Decentralisation Distribution of Power Review Mechanisms Observations and Conclusions Further Reading 6. Ethnic Rights and Constitutional Change: The Recognition of Ethnic Nationalities in Myanmar/Burma Symbolic Recognition: Territorial Divisions of the Seven States and Regions Special Representation: Ministers of National Races Affairs Limited Self-Governance: Self-Administered Zones and Divisions Conclusion Further Reading 7. The Role of the Central Government and Local Government in
Times of Crisis Local Government in Japan The Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster and Local Government The Nuclear Meltdown in Fukushima and Local Government Lessons Learned Conclusion Further Reading 8. Local Democracy in a Multi-layered Constitutional System: Malaysian Local Government Reconsidered Historical and Constitutional Background Local Government in Contemporary Malaysia The Prospects for Restoring Local Government Elections Conclusion Further Reading Index