Resumo

CARDENAS GRACIA, Jaime. México a la luz de los modelos federales. Bol. Mex. Der. Comp. [online]. 2004, vol.37, n.110, pp.479-510. ISSN 2448-4873.

Federalism is not a simple concept, nor is it a simple theory or reality. There are multiple models and ways of understanding it. This essay explains the different models of federalism that have been conceived from a theoretical point of view, such as dual federalism, cooperative federalism and asymmetric federalism. Moreover, the author analyzes some experiences with federalism, such as those of the United States of America, Canada, Switzerland and Germany. In so doing, he seeks to stress the diversity of federal models, and to show how the central-european model has elaborated principles and paradigms which differ from those of American federalism. The essay finishes with a reflection on Mexico's federalism. In this way, the author explains that the Mexican federal system needs some adjustments in matters related to concurrent powers, administrative descentralization and delegation, the role of the Senate as a federal chamber, the fiscal and financial powers of the states and municipalities and the mechanisms for fiscal harmonization and compensation.

Palavras-chave : federalism; descentralization; fiscal federalism; cooperative federalism.