Federalism: An Introduction is meant to provide students of political science as well as practitioners and scholars with a concise, jargon-free overview of the various forms of federal government found around the world as well as the basic principles, practices, benefits, and challenges characteristic of the federal form of government. The book defines federalism and examines the constitutional, legal, financial, and philosophical underpinnings of federal systems, incorporating examples not only from well-known and long-established federations such as Canada and the United States but countries that have only recently adopted a federal form of government. The author is well-known both in Canada and around the world, both as a scholar and as a public servant.

George Anderson's profile page

George Anderson became president of the Forum of Federations in June 2005. He was previously Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada, from May 2002 until May 2005. He also served as Deputy Minister (Intergovernmental Affairs) in the Privy Council Office beginning in August 1996. He began working in Canada's federal public service in 1972. From 1992 to 1993, he was a fellow at Harvard University's Center for International Affairs. George Anderson has a B.A. from Queen's University, an M. Litt. in Political Science from Oxford University, a diploma from the École nationale d'administration in Paris, France, and is currently a trustee of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.