Centre State Relations and Public Finance

This unique study examines the theory and practice of center state relations in India, United States and Australia—three major democratic political systems of the world. The work undertakes to analyse the nature of constitutional provisions in these constitutions which determine the basis of commercial and fiscal relationship between the Union and its federating units. The role of United States in consolidating the concept of economic federalism and its adoption in India and Australia has been probed in its historical context. The study also examines the issues of freedom of trade and commerce on the merits of constitutional provisions and their judicial interpretations. The book powerfully argues that the individual’s fundamental right to enjoy unrestricted freedom to operate in any trade or commerce has subservient position vis-a-vis the paramountcy of Union in a federal political system. Besides general readers interested in political system of India, United States and Australia, the work will serve as a useful guide for students of constitutional law and fiscal policies.