Across Boundaries: Essays in Honour of Robert A.Young

Robert (Bob) Andrew Young (1950–2017) was a Canadian political scientist who focused on secession, multilevel government, and political economy. His work is exemplified in his attention to concrete policy issues and breadth of interest across many subfields of political science. Across Boundaries honors his distinguished career and gives students, professors, and practitioners further insight into his scholarship.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 09 June 2021
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

Secession, multilevel government, and political economy are critical topics in political science today, and Robert (Bob) Andrew Young's (1950–2017) work in these areas was groundbreaking. His former colleagues and students have come together to publish Across Boundaries, a collection of essays that explore Young's legacy and provide new insight into research in multilevel governance, secession, and political economy. Young's work is exemplary in its attention to concrete policy issues and the breadth of his interest across many subfields of political science. Across Boundaries honors Young's distinguished career and provides students, professors, and practitioners with further insight into his scholarship.

Secession is the process by which a state or other political entity separates from another state or political entity. It can occur for a variety of reasons, including political, economic, social, or cultural differences. Secession can be a peaceful or violent process, and it can have significant consequences for both the seceding state and the remaining state or political entity.

Multilevel government is a system of government in which different levels of government have different levels of authority and responsibility. This can include federal, state, and local governments, as well as regional and international governments. Multilevel government can be effective in addressing complex policy issues, but it can also be complex and difficult to manage.

Political economy is the study of the relationship between politics and the economy. It examines how economic policies and institutions affect political outcomes, and how political decisions and institutions affect economic outcomes. Political economy can be used to analyze a wide range of policy issues, including taxation, regulation, and trade.

Why do some multilevel governments work better than others? There are several factors that can contribute to the success of multilevel governments. These include:

Clear and effective governance structures: Multilevel governments must have clear and effective governance structures that allow for effective decision-making and coordination. This can include a clear separation of powers, a system of checks and balances, and a transparent and accountable government.

Effective communication: Multilevel governments must have effective communication channels that allow for effective communication between different levels of government and between the government and the public. This can include public meetings, media outlets, and social media.

Shared values: Multilevel governments must have shared values that guide their decision-making. This can include a commitment to democracy, human rights, and social justice.

Competence and expertise: Multilevel governments must have competent and expert staff that can provide effective services to the public. This can include professionals in fields such as healthcare, education, and transportation.

Political stability: Multilevel governments must have political stability that allows for effective decision-making and implementation of policies. This can include a stable political system, a strong civil society, and a strong economy.

However, multilevel governments can also face challenges. These include:

Conflicts between different levels of government: Multilevel governments can face conflicts between different levels of government, such as disagreements over taxation, regulation, and trade.

Lack of resources: Multilevel governments can face a lack of resources, which can make it difficult to provide effective services to the public.

Political polarization: Political polarization can make it difficult for multilevel governments to reach consensus on policy issues.

Political extremism: Political extremism can be a significant threat to multilevel governments. Political extremists can use violence and other means to promote their political agenda, and they can undermine the legitimacy of the government.

To address these challenges, multilevel governments can take several steps. These include:

Clear and effective governance structures: Multilevel governments must have clear and effective governance structures that allow for effective decision-making and coordination. This can include a clear separation of powers, a system of checks and balances, and a transparent and accountable government.

Effective communication: Multilevel governments must have effective communication channels that allow for effective communication between different levels of government and between the government and the public. This can include public meetings, media outlets, and social media.

Shared values: Multilevel governments must have shared values that guide their decision-making. This can include a commitment to democracy, human rights, and social justice.

Competence and expertise: Multilevel governments must have competent and expert staff that can provide effective services to the public. This can include professionals in fields such as healthcare, education, and transportation.

Political stability: Multilevel governments must have political stability that allows for effective decision-making and implementation of policies. This can include a stable political system, a strong civil society, and a strong economy.

In conclusion, secession, multilevel government, and political economy are critical topics in political science today, and Robert (Bob) Andrew Young's work in these areas was groundbreaking. His former colleagues and students have come together to publish Across Boundaries, a collection of essays that explore Young's legacy and provide new insight into research in multilevel governance, secession, and political economy. Multilevel governments can be effective in addressing complex policy issues, but they can also face challenges. By taking steps to address these challenges, multilevel governments can ensure that they remain effective and relevant in the future.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228006077