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Competitive federalism, individual autonomy, and citizen sovereignty

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  • Viktor J. Vanberg

Abstract

The paper examines the theory of competitive federalism, focusing specifically on Hayek's and Buchanan's significant contributions to this theory. Looking at the rivalry between sub‐units in federal systems and drawing an analogy between market competition and intergovernmental competition, the theory of competitive federalism stresses the critical role viable exit options play as operating force in both arenas. The principal claim argued for in this paper is that by exclusively focusing on exit in its territorial dimension, the theory of competitive federalism obfuscates the fact that “exit” can mean two critically different things in federal systems. It can mean exiting from the territory over which a government exercises its assigned authority, and it can mean exiting from a polity in the sense of giving up one's membership status in the respective community. The paper discusses the nature, the significance, and the implications of the difference between these two kinds of exit.

Suggested Citation

  • Viktor J. Vanberg, 2024. "Competitive federalism, individual autonomy, and citizen sovereignty," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 77(4), pages 1048-1068, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:kyklos:v:77:y:2024:i:4:p:1048-1068
    DOI: 10.1111/kykl.12405
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    Cited by:

    1. Hartmut Kliemt, 2024. "The nature and significance of the political ideal of the Rule of Law: Hayek, Buchanan, and beyond," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 77(4), pages 1084-1102, November.
    2. Robert Sugden, 2024. "Hayek, Buchanan and the justification of the market," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 77(4), pages 1069-1083, November.

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