At a Glance:

Federal Countries: 3

Argentina

Brazil 

Venezuela [in Spanish}

 

Regional Body:
Mercado Común del Sur  (MERCOSUR)

Regional Body Headquarters:
Montevideo

Regional Body Latest Treaty or Constitution:
1991, Treaty of Asunción

South America

Map of South America brazil Brazil Argentina Our work in South America

The Forum has been working in Brazil since the year 2000. Fiscal federalism has been the focus of Forum’s work in Brazil, complemented by our work in the areas of intergovernmental relations, metropolitan governance and law and order.  In Argentina, the Forum helped to share knowledge and experience among practitioners of federalism on fiscal federalism, regional integration, and high courts.

The Forum aims to assist these countries as the need arises by helping practitioners of federalism in each country to share ideas and best practices among themselves and with their counterparts from other federations.

Federalism in South America

Two of South America’s federal countries, Argentina and Brazil, adopted their first federal constitutions relatively early: in 1853 and 1889, respectively. Both countries have undergone significant changes to their federal systems since then.

The third federal country, Venezuela, first adopted a federal constitution in 1864 but has since swung back and forth between federalism and centralized rule. Another country, Bolivia, has a constitution that defines it as a unitary state - yet a decentralized one with regions having some autonomous powers.

Where We Work