The forbidden word: federalism

Yes, in Macedonia, it is forbidden to even mention the word federalism. If you do it nevertheless, you are blamed to be an opponent, someone who is against the state and wants to split the country. This is what happened recently with SDSM and the platform of the Albanian parties. Such accusations however serve in the first place those in favor of authoritarian rule.

But let’s have a look at federalism and see why this is not the bare devil, even not for a country like Macedonia.

Worldwide, some 40 percent of the population is living in states with a federal structure. Those states include big ones, like India and the US, but also small ones, such as Belgium and Austria and every size in between (e.g. Germany). Most of these federal states are stable, not prone to separation or at the stage of falling apart.

And yes, there is a multitude of different federal systems possible. A country can be divided in states, districts or provinces, who all have a high level of autonomy. Instead, countries can also provide a high level of autonomy to their communities, without specifying any specific physical borders. This could include the so-called person related rights, such as culture, education, media, social welfare etc. In order to make this effective, communities usually are allowed to have their own elected assembly representing the members of the community.

Since the nineties, we see that quite often, federalism is used as an effective tool to settle conflicts. The big advantage is that communities can get equal rights and an equal position towards the central level of governance. This creates stability — much needed in a country like Macedonia.

Since 2001, Macedonia de facto has some characteristics of a federal state, with most important the acceptance that a government will be formed by one party on the side of the biggest community and one party on the side of the second biggest community. But this said, not all problems are solved.

One of the important symbols of any community is the language. Do people in general have the right to use their mother tongue? Yes, they do. For communities of a reasonable size, it is also common to allow education in this mother tongue and to allow also the use of it at the municipal services, in the hospital or in the court. Can a country fall apart because this principle is recognized? To me, this is a basic principle, a way to show a minimum of respect to human beings living together with you in the same country.

“I grew up in Belgium, and learned to speak all official languages. And whenever someone wants to talk to me in one of these languages, I will immediately switch to that language. This is a matter of being polite to your fellow citizens.”

One of the advantages of such federal system, is that it allows people to feel good and to be proud of living in their country. It is not by overruling people, by dictating them from a central government, by reminding them every day that they are just part of a minority, that you will be able to keep the country together in the long run. No, the only way forward is by decentralization and the implementation of the subsidiarity principle. Subsidiarity is an organizing principle recognizing that matters have to be handled by the smallest, lowest or least centralized competent authority. Political decisions should therefore be taken at local level (e.g. community level) if possible, rather than by a central authority.

Of course, there is a problem with this approach, because it limits the power of the central authorities. It isn’t fun if your dream is to be an autocratic ruler, and then you have to give up on some of your competencies. Exactly this is one of the major advantages of a decentralized federal system: it is an effective tool against authoritarian tendencies at the central level. So, with a decentralized federal system, there is no space for authoritarian rules.

Let’s be serious: what would be the biggest danger for a country like Macedonia? Is it the rightful demands from the Albanian community, for which a good and effective solution is possible — even though a lot of discussion in parliament will be necessary to set it up properly — or is it the authoritarian style of some of the Leaders, where the formation of a government supported by a majority of the members of parliament is blocked, where local elections can’t be organized, a system that is close to complete collapse?

I am the first one to recognize that that federal system can also be dangerous, because they can be used effectively to block policies at the central level. However, it is possible to overcome this with for example the introduction of a bicameral system, where a small senate will discuss and solve any problem between any of the communities and the central level. With a senate as mediation tool, every level will find its place and learn how to balance its interests.

To conclude: regardless the suggestion by some of the political leaders and parties in Macedonia, the country will not fall apart by accepting the fact that “all citizens are equal”. The country will not disappear by recognizing a second language. On the contrary, recognizing that you are living at the crossroads of different cultures is an asset; your economy, educational system, scientific research and culture can benefit from it. Diversity is a tool to strengthen your country, a tool you desperately need to build a better future.

Peter Vanhoutte