Through a number of posts during the last few years I have noted that at various points in his posthumously published Political Treatise, Spinoza offers federalism as a mechanism toward peace. In the context of discussing aristocratic federalisms, that is, those ruled by representatives of the constitutive republics, Spinoza confronts an important problem: where should the capital be located?
Australia followed the US model, but has gradually removed the disabilities imposed on Australian Capital Territory residents, apart from the fact that, as a Territory, ACT only gets two senators, whereas states have 12. Relative to population, this is about right - the big, but quite separate problem with our setup is that Tasmania (very small population) is massively over-represented.
Australia followed the US model, but has gradually removed the disabilities imposed on Australian Capital Territory residents, apart from the fact that, as a Territory, ACT only gets two senators, whereas states have 12. Relative to population, this is about right - the big, but quite separate problem with our setup is that Tasmania (very small population) is massively over-represented.
Smith as proto-theorist of Enlargement. I love it.