Thomas Benedikter, economist, political scientist and social researcher in Bozen (South Tyrol, Italy, 1957), graduated in Economics and Political Economy in Munich and Trent. Besides many years of professional activity in empirical social and economic research in South Tyrol, in the 1990ies he ran human rights organizations, collaborated with the EURAC Bozen, later with NGOs for citizens’ education and participatory democracy, and with the University of Vienna. Today he is the responsible director of the South Tyrol's Center for Political Studies and Civic Education POLITiS. Phone: 0039 0471 633047
In 1921, Sweden and Finland agreed to grant far-reaching self-government to the Swedish-speaking ... more In 1921, Sweden and Finland agreed to grant far-reaching self-government to the Swedish-speaking Åland Islands under Finnish sovereignty. On 24 June 1921, the League of Nations in Geneva approved this solution. On 10 October 1921, ten states signed a convention on the permanent demilitarisation and neutrality of Åland. 100 years after the legal introduction of the first modern territorial autonomy in a democratic constitutional state, it is possible to draw an interim assessment and venture an outlook. Which experiences have been gathreed with this form of power sharing and, looking ahead, where could territorial autonomy solve acute conflicts between states and minorities? The analysis starts from a clarification of the concept of territorial autonomy and based on four fundamental criteria distinguishes between “genuine autonomy” and “autonomy-like arrangement. Satring from an overlook about the results of autonomy as applied so far in at least 70 regions of the world, the author reflects on today’s challenges. Which current sub-state conflicts could be solved by means of territorial autonomy? The author quotes ten examples of such conflicts, caused by state-minority tensions, and draws promising conclusions for the further application of this device.
Many municipalities and regions are now interested in developing a meaningful welfare metric in o... more Many municipalities and regions are now interested in developing a meaningful welfare metric in order to provide the public with tools for the political assessment of the current situation and for guiding political decisions. In addition to a common good product for the national level, the ECG movement is endeavouring to develop a regional common good index as a value-based and at the same time empirically and statistically sound measurement of regional (including municipal) common good goals. Purely monetary GDP has long been questioned as an indicator of prosperity. It is not suitable as a measure of quality of life and the common good. This is why the Economy for the Common Good (ECG) movement is endeavouring to develop alternative concepts: the common good product at state level and the common good index at regional and municipal level. This paper compares the existing ASTAT (Institute for Statistics of South Tyrol) and the proposals of the ECG.
Bürgerrechte im Umweltschutz - Ein Leitfaden, 2024
Öffentliche und private Bautätigkeiten und andere Projekte greifen immer wieder in die Umwelt, Na... more Öffentliche und private Bautätigkeiten und andere Projekte greifen immer wieder in die Umwelt, Natur und Landschaft Südtirols ein und bringen oft dauerhafte Schäden und Belastungen. Wie können sich Bürger und Bürgerinnen dagegen zur Wehr setzen? Welche rechtlichen Mittel stehen ihnen zur Verfügung? Was können sie auf politischer Ebene unternehmen? In diesem Leitfaden wird ein Überblick über unsere Rechte als Bürger und Bürgerinnen gegenüber der Politik und Verwaltung geboten. Viele konkrete Beispiele veranschaulichen die Anwendungsmöglichkeiten dieser Rechte in der Praxis des Schutzes von Umwelt, Natur und kulturellem Erbe. Der Text ist in Zusammenwirken mit dem Heimatpflegeverband Südtirol entstanden.
La France n'a pas signe la charte sur les langues minoritaires car elle allait a l'encont... more La France n'a pas signe la charte sur les langues minoritaires car elle allait a l'encontre de la constitution. Entre 1982 et 1991, ce fut l'echec d'une pseudo-autonomie corse avec la creation, entre autre, d'une assemblee regionale. La langue corse est consideree comme une langue etrangere et les medias s'expriment en francais. Le corse n'est plus desormais une langue familiere et encore moins administrative. Seule l'autonomie (et non l'independance refusee par les Corses) reconnaitrait le corse comme langue nationale
Solving Ethnic Conflict through Self-Government, 2009
This short guide provides an overview of some of the most relevant cases of autonomy in Europe an... more This short guide provides an overview of some of the most relevant cases of autonomy in Europe and South Asia. It sheds light on current developments in autonomous regions, as well as to explore the likelihood of implementing autonomy in societies affected by ethnic conflict. In order to create a common foundation of terminology and fundamental criteria, the publication is introduced with an overview of the general concept of political autonomy, which clarifies fundamental criteria and minimum standards for "genuine political autonomy”. The text is completed by a broad range of information on autonomies and ethnic minorities.
Europe is an ethnic and cultural mosaic, not a melting pot. Some non-Europeans are wondering abou... more Europe is an ethnic and cultural mosaic, not a melting pot. Some non-Europeans are wondering about so many states on such a relatively small continent. But under the stratum of national diversity there are further layers: regional identities strongly rooted in history, religious pluralism and a large number of ethnic or national minorities in almost every country. Distinct from the dominating national cultures, they wish to preserve their identity, cherish their traditions, use their languages in all spheres of life. For this purpose not only recognition is required, but a complete set of minority rights has to be ensured. After bitter experiences in history, marked by discrimination, exclusion and violence of all kind all over the last century, since the 1990ies the development minority rights in Europe entered in a new era. While the nation states are definitely acknowledging the necessity of modern forms of minority protection, international legal instruments with “soft law”- character have been adopted to set basic principles and minimum standards. Slowly the European community of states is moving towards the creation of a common legal space for national minorities. This short guide offers an introduction in Europe’s world of ethnic minorities and some of its major issues of ethnic conflict and minority discrimination. Then a brief assessment is given on the minority situation in some of its single states and an overview on the international conventions for the protection of national minorities, allowing a final judgement whether Europe is on the right track to safeguard its “ethnic mosaic” or not.
Concepts and Experiences of Regional Territorial …, 2009
... Region TOM Territoire d'outre-mer UNDP united nations Development programme UNPO unrepre... more ... Region TOM Territoire d'outre-mer UNDP united nations Development programme UNPO unrepresented nations and peoples organization VAT Value added Tax Page 6. 6 Graphics 1 Forms of territorial power sharing in modern states .....22 ...
Do procedures of direct democracy involve fundamental dangers with regard to social, ethno-lingui... more Do procedures of direct democracy involve fundamental dangers with regard to social, ethno-linguistic and religious minorities? Is there even a conflict between popular decision-making by initiative and referendum and the requirement of interethnic consociational democratic procedures? The article focuses on the existing tension and supposed contradictions between procedures of direct democracy (initiative and referendum) and the protection of the rights and interests of minorities in multilingual areas. Drawing upon some recent examples of such kind in four Swiss bi- or multilingual cantons and in South Tyrol the author compares these experiences and discusses the crucial issue as to whether such a conflict can be resolved and what special precautions should be established when it comes to applying direct democracy in multilingual areas. Finally he presents a new approach to how civil rights to direct political participation, enshrined in Italy’s constitutions and South Tyrol’s statute of autonomy, might be brought into concordance with the need to respect the equality of rights of linguistic groups within a multilingual polity, an issue which is currently being debated in South Tyrol’s politics.
The „Euskaldización“ is one of the keys of the Basque Country’s language policy. Based on its ter... more The „Euskaldización“ is one of the keys of the Basque Country’s language policy. Based on its territorial autonomy the Autonomous Community of Euskadi since about 40 years has made significant progress in the recovery of its own language in every sector of life. A short assessment of the most important features of this process and an outlook on future developments.
1.1. Why territorial autonomy? [ top ] The ideal propagated by Europe's nation state builders... more 1.1. Why territorial autonomy? [ top ] The ideal propagated by Europe's nation state builders in the 19th century was "One nation one state". But in nearly none of these states this ideal has ever been achieved. All European states, excluding the microstates, host national minorities. The overwhelming majority of states is composed by a major number of peoples, featuring a majority (titular nation) and from 3 to 45 national minorities. Generally most national or ethnic minorities live in their traditional homelands and due to historic evolution, at a certain point of history, found themselves included in a state with a major "titular nation", a national majority which normally exerts a cultural hegemony by the sheer effect of numbers, economic, social and political power. Minority ethnic groups are structurally disadvantaged and often excluded from power. How to redress this implicit bias? Are antidiscrimination provisions sufficient? How to ensure equal chan...
... Omkar N. Koul, chairman, Indian Institute of Language Study, New Delhi MK Khanna, National Co... more ... Omkar N. Koul, chairman, Indian Institute of Language Study, New Delhi MK Khanna, National Commission for Minorities, New Delhi Ms Kamala ... Thus, the nation was conceived as a primordial community bound together by the Vedanta philosophy and other religious classics. ...
Before giving an overview on territorial autonomy in the Indian Union, it is useful to recall a s... more Before giving an overview on territorial autonomy in the Indian Union, it is useful to recall a suitable definition of territorial (in Europe also “regional”) autonomy as used in the present essay: “Autonomy can be defined as a means of internal power-sharing aimed to preserve the cultural and ethnic variety, while respecting the unity of a state. It consists in permanently transferring a certain amount of powers suitable for those purposes to a certain territory, giving its population the possibility of selfgovernment, and leaving only residual responsibilities to the central state.” As a general rule, autonomous territories possess no international character, and are not treated as states for the purposes of international law. Thus, autonomy can be defined as a means of internal powersharing aimed at preserving cultural and ethnic variety, while respecting the unity of a state. According to another scholar, who has been a consultant for autonomy issues around the world including N...
In 1921, Sweden and Finland agreed to grant far-reaching self-government to the Swedish-speaking ... more In 1921, Sweden and Finland agreed to grant far-reaching self-government to the Swedish-speaking Åland Islands under Finnish sovereignty. On 24 June 1921, the League of Nations in Geneva approved this solution. On 10 October 1921, ten states signed a convention on the permanent demilitarisation and neutrality of Åland. 100 years after the legal introduction of the first modern territorial autonomy in a democratic constitutional state, it is possible to draw an interim assessment and venture an outlook. Which experiences have been gathreed with this form of power sharing and, looking ahead, where could territorial autonomy solve acute conflicts between states and minorities? The analysis starts from a clarification of the concept of territorial autonomy and based on four fundamental criteria distinguishes between “genuine autonomy” and “autonomy-like arrangement. Satring from an overlook about the results of autonomy as applied so far in at least 70 regions of the world, the author reflects on today’s challenges. Which current sub-state conflicts could be solved by means of territorial autonomy? The author quotes ten examples of such conflicts, caused by state-minority tensions, and draws promising conclusions for the further application of this device.
Many municipalities and regions are now interested in developing a meaningful welfare metric in o... more Many municipalities and regions are now interested in developing a meaningful welfare metric in order to provide the public with tools for the political assessment of the current situation and for guiding political decisions. In addition to a common good product for the national level, the ECG movement is endeavouring to develop a regional common good index as a value-based and at the same time empirically and statistically sound measurement of regional (including municipal) common good goals. Purely monetary GDP has long been questioned as an indicator of prosperity. It is not suitable as a measure of quality of life and the common good. This is why the Economy for the Common Good (ECG) movement is endeavouring to develop alternative concepts: the common good product at state level and the common good index at regional and municipal level. This paper compares the existing ASTAT (Institute for Statistics of South Tyrol) and the proposals of the ECG.
Bürgerrechte im Umweltschutz - Ein Leitfaden, 2024
Öffentliche und private Bautätigkeiten und andere Projekte greifen immer wieder in die Umwelt, Na... more Öffentliche und private Bautätigkeiten und andere Projekte greifen immer wieder in die Umwelt, Natur und Landschaft Südtirols ein und bringen oft dauerhafte Schäden und Belastungen. Wie können sich Bürger und Bürgerinnen dagegen zur Wehr setzen? Welche rechtlichen Mittel stehen ihnen zur Verfügung? Was können sie auf politischer Ebene unternehmen? In diesem Leitfaden wird ein Überblick über unsere Rechte als Bürger und Bürgerinnen gegenüber der Politik und Verwaltung geboten. Viele konkrete Beispiele veranschaulichen die Anwendungsmöglichkeiten dieser Rechte in der Praxis des Schutzes von Umwelt, Natur und kulturellem Erbe. Der Text ist in Zusammenwirken mit dem Heimatpflegeverband Südtirol entstanden.
La France n'a pas signe la charte sur les langues minoritaires car elle allait a l'encont... more La France n'a pas signe la charte sur les langues minoritaires car elle allait a l'encontre de la constitution. Entre 1982 et 1991, ce fut l'echec d'une pseudo-autonomie corse avec la creation, entre autre, d'une assemblee regionale. La langue corse est consideree comme une langue etrangere et les medias s'expriment en francais. Le corse n'est plus desormais une langue familiere et encore moins administrative. Seule l'autonomie (et non l'independance refusee par les Corses) reconnaitrait le corse comme langue nationale
Solving Ethnic Conflict through Self-Government, 2009
This short guide provides an overview of some of the most relevant cases of autonomy in Europe an... more This short guide provides an overview of some of the most relevant cases of autonomy in Europe and South Asia. It sheds light on current developments in autonomous regions, as well as to explore the likelihood of implementing autonomy in societies affected by ethnic conflict. In order to create a common foundation of terminology and fundamental criteria, the publication is introduced with an overview of the general concept of political autonomy, which clarifies fundamental criteria and minimum standards for "genuine political autonomy”. The text is completed by a broad range of information on autonomies and ethnic minorities.
Europe is an ethnic and cultural mosaic, not a melting pot. Some non-Europeans are wondering abou... more Europe is an ethnic and cultural mosaic, not a melting pot. Some non-Europeans are wondering about so many states on such a relatively small continent. But under the stratum of national diversity there are further layers: regional identities strongly rooted in history, religious pluralism and a large number of ethnic or national minorities in almost every country. Distinct from the dominating national cultures, they wish to preserve their identity, cherish their traditions, use their languages in all spheres of life. For this purpose not only recognition is required, but a complete set of minority rights has to be ensured. After bitter experiences in history, marked by discrimination, exclusion and violence of all kind all over the last century, since the 1990ies the development minority rights in Europe entered in a new era. While the nation states are definitely acknowledging the necessity of modern forms of minority protection, international legal instruments with “soft law”- character have been adopted to set basic principles and minimum standards. Slowly the European community of states is moving towards the creation of a common legal space for national minorities. This short guide offers an introduction in Europe’s world of ethnic minorities and some of its major issues of ethnic conflict and minority discrimination. Then a brief assessment is given on the minority situation in some of its single states and an overview on the international conventions for the protection of national minorities, allowing a final judgement whether Europe is on the right track to safeguard its “ethnic mosaic” or not.
Concepts and Experiences of Regional Territorial …, 2009
... Region TOM Territoire d'outre-mer UNDP united nations Development programme UNPO unrepre... more ... Region TOM Territoire d'outre-mer UNDP united nations Development programme UNPO unrepresented nations and peoples organization VAT Value added Tax Page 6. 6 Graphics 1 Forms of territorial power sharing in modern states .....22 ...
Do procedures of direct democracy involve fundamental dangers with regard to social, ethno-lingui... more Do procedures of direct democracy involve fundamental dangers with regard to social, ethno-linguistic and religious minorities? Is there even a conflict between popular decision-making by initiative and referendum and the requirement of interethnic consociational democratic procedures? The article focuses on the existing tension and supposed contradictions between procedures of direct democracy (initiative and referendum) and the protection of the rights and interests of minorities in multilingual areas. Drawing upon some recent examples of such kind in four Swiss bi- or multilingual cantons and in South Tyrol the author compares these experiences and discusses the crucial issue as to whether such a conflict can be resolved and what special precautions should be established when it comes to applying direct democracy in multilingual areas. Finally he presents a new approach to how civil rights to direct political participation, enshrined in Italy’s constitutions and South Tyrol’s statute of autonomy, might be brought into concordance with the need to respect the equality of rights of linguistic groups within a multilingual polity, an issue which is currently being debated in South Tyrol’s politics.
The „Euskaldización“ is one of the keys of the Basque Country’s language policy. Based on its ter... more The „Euskaldización“ is one of the keys of the Basque Country’s language policy. Based on its territorial autonomy the Autonomous Community of Euskadi since about 40 years has made significant progress in the recovery of its own language in every sector of life. A short assessment of the most important features of this process and an outlook on future developments.
1.1. Why territorial autonomy? [ top ] The ideal propagated by Europe's nation state builders... more 1.1. Why territorial autonomy? [ top ] The ideal propagated by Europe's nation state builders in the 19th century was "One nation one state". But in nearly none of these states this ideal has ever been achieved. All European states, excluding the microstates, host national minorities. The overwhelming majority of states is composed by a major number of peoples, featuring a majority (titular nation) and from 3 to 45 national minorities. Generally most national or ethnic minorities live in their traditional homelands and due to historic evolution, at a certain point of history, found themselves included in a state with a major "titular nation", a national majority which normally exerts a cultural hegemony by the sheer effect of numbers, economic, social and political power. Minority ethnic groups are structurally disadvantaged and often excluded from power. How to redress this implicit bias? Are antidiscrimination provisions sufficient? How to ensure equal chan...
... Omkar N. Koul, chairman, Indian Institute of Language Study, New Delhi MK Khanna, National Co... more ... Omkar N. Koul, chairman, Indian Institute of Language Study, New Delhi MK Khanna, National Commission for Minorities, New Delhi Ms Kamala ... Thus, the nation was conceived as a primordial community bound together by the Vedanta philosophy and other religious classics. ...
Before giving an overview on territorial autonomy in the Indian Union, it is useful to recall a s... more Before giving an overview on territorial autonomy in the Indian Union, it is useful to recall a suitable definition of territorial (in Europe also “regional”) autonomy as used in the present essay: “Autonomy can be defined as a means of internal power-sharing aimed to preserve the cultural and ethnic variety, while respecting the unity of a state. It consists in permanently transferring a certain amount of powers suitable for those purposes to a certain territory, giving its population the possibility of selfgovernment, and leaving only residual responsibilities to the central state.” As a general rule, autonomous territories possess no international character, and are not treated as states for the purposes of international law. Thus, autonomy can be defined as a means of internal powersharing aimed at preserving cultural and ethnic variety, while respecting the unity of a state. According to another scholar, who has been a consultant for autonomy issues around the world including N...
Klimaland Südtirol? Regionale Wege zu konsequentem Klimaschutz, 2022
This book, edited by Thomas Benedikter, focuses on regional pathways to coherent climate protecti... more This book, edited by Thomas Benedikter, focuses on regional pathways to coherent climate protection, referred to the Autonomous Province of Bozen (South Tyrol, Italy). The 19 co-authors start from the fact that this region in 2019 has adopted a "strategy for regional sustainability" and in 2023 has adopted the "Climate Plan South Tyrol 2040" which sets climate neutrality (zero emissions of CO2) as primary goal for 2040. But how is real politics doing justice to this priority? Has South Tyrol already embarked into a coherent path towards CO2 zero emissions? Is the energy supply really going to fully shift to renewable sources? How does the economy react to this fundamenal challenge? Which further reforms are to be launched in order to apply coherent climate change mitigation policies? The book in 19 single essays written by prominent experts covers most of the relevant issues of climate change policies on the regional level of South Tyrol. Thomas Benedikter is the editor and coordinator.
Do geaht nou a bissl. Klimaschutz auf Südtirolerisch, 2023
The necessity of systematic climate protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation has been... more The necessity of systematic climate protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation has been acknowledged in South Tyrol's political establishment and among citizens' at large. Nevertheless economic growth, traffic of all kind, greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow as ever. Formally climate protection has got a prominent place in public debates, but in the real world the system changes very slowly, while the saying "There is always room for a little bit more" reigns souvereignly ("Do geaht nou a bissl" in South Tyrolean dialect). The author deals with some 50 single issues of this kind of phenomenon, mostly referred to the Autonomous Province of Bozen - South Tyrol (Italy).
2002 as the bloodiest year in Nepal’s history since the war against the British in 1815/16. The c... more 2002 as the bloodiest year in Nepal’s history since the war against the British in 1815/16. The country is under curfew and in Nepal’s Mid-west the army is fighting against the Maoist People's Liberation Army without regard for the civilian population. The Maoist launches large-scale attacks on military bases and by guerrilla tactics more and more enters into the cities. After seven years of “people’s war” with almost 7.500 dead, in the shadow of international media, the dynamics of violence and retaliation take their seemingly unstoppable course, unnoticed by the world public.... How did it come to this? What are the Maoists striving for? Which were the roots of the conflict? Thomas Benedikter in 2002 visited various places of the insurgency and spent months researching in Kathmandu. He not only delves into the Maoist movement of Nepal and its insurgency, but also sheds light on the main social and political aspects of Nepal that form the background of this conflict. The richly illustrated work takes current events as its starting point, but is above all a political geography of contemporary Nepal
Countless experiences of successful citizen participation have proven that many citizens are will... more Countless experiences of successful citizen participation have proven that many citizens are willing to take on responsibility, to participate actively and to take on responsibility, generally: to contribute their ideas and suggestions, ideas and suggestions. In order to motivate them to do this, commitment is needed. This is ensured if, after and in addition to the deliberative phases and public debate, the possibility of a democratic vote is created, which leads to a legally effective result. Mere "popular consultations", citizens' assemblies and manifestos with some guiding principles do not fulfil this purpose. In a vibrant local democracy, the citizens must know that even between elections they still have decision-making power. Deliberative and direct democracy complement each other and in turn complete representative democracy. In Italy, and in the autonomous provinces of Trentino and South Tyrol in particular municipalities have the legal scope to establish and regulate all kind of participatory democracy in deliberative and direct form. This publication aims to highlight the most appropriate tools of citizens’ participation and is a concrete effort to encourage further development of citizen participation on municipal level.
Countless experiences of successful citizen participation have proven that many citizens are will... more Countless experiences of successful citizen participation have proven that many citizens are willing to take on responsibility, to participate actively and to take on responsibility, generally: to contribute their ideas and suggestions, ideas and suggestions. In order to motivate them to do this, commitment is needed. This is ensured if, after and in addition to the deliberative phases and public debate, the possibility of a democratic vote is created, which leads to a legally effective result. Mere "popular consultations", citizens' assemblies and manifestos with some guiding principles do not fulfil this purpose. In a vibrant local democracy, the citizens must know that even between elections they still have decision-making power. Deliberative and direct democracy complement each other and in turn complete representative democracy. In Italy, and in the autonomous provinces of Trentino and South Tyrol in particular municipalities have the legal scope to establish and regulate all kind of participatory democracy in deliberative and direct form. This publication aims to highlight the most appropriate tools of citizens’ participation and is a concrete effort to encourage further development of citizen participation on municipal level.
Direct democracy, a relatively simple set of referendum rights and institutions, not only derives... more Direct democracy, a relatively simple set of referendum rights and institutions, not only derives from fundamental political rights enshrined in international law and most Constitutions, but is the necessary complement to representative democracy. It is the second pillar of a modern representative democracy. The book offers a broad perspective on the most important facets of direct democracy, starting from the basic intentions of referendum rights, their design, qualities, performance, players and effects on politics. In a straightforward approach the book explains why referendum and initiative based on citizen-friendly regulations should be an indispensable part of any democracy around the world in the 21st century.
With more democracy to more autonomy, edited by Thomas Benedikter, collects the contributions of ... more With more democracy to more autonomy, edited by Thomas Benedikter, collects the contributions of 25 experts to an educational project that explored the need for reform of South Tyrol's autonomy in 2013/14. Politicians from various parties, academics, activists from citizens' organisations have their say. An online survey yielded interesting results on the preferences of South Tyroleans for the revision of the statute. The volume concludes with a series of proposals for more citizen participation in the reform of the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol.
The volume collects the essays of about 30 experts, who actively shared a cycle of meetings in 20... more The volume collects the essays of about 30 experts, who actively shared a cycle of meetings in 2013/14 in Bozen (South Tyrol, Italy), focused on the reform of South Tyrol’s autonomy statute, organised by POLITiS and SBZ. The meetings aimed at the preparation of a larger process of citizens’ participation in the province and to provide expertise on the current shortcomings and requirements of reform of the autonomy statute. The essays contribute to highlight both proposals for the amendment of many features of South Tyrol’s autonomy and the requirement of a stronger involvement of the citizens into the reform process.
Mehr Autonomie wagen - Südtirols Autonomie heute und morgen, 2020
South Tyrol is an autonomous province of Italy with 70 percent German speaking Tyroleans and 4,5 ... more South Tyrol is an autonomous province of Italy with 70 percent German speaking Tyroleans and 4,5 percent Ladin minority members located at the border with Austria. Since 1920 the historical Tyrol is divided in the Northern part (Austria) and South Tyrol (Italy), which starting with 1948 has been vested with a certain degree of territorial autonomy. Since 2016 South Tyrol embarked in a debate about the reform of the legal basis of its autonomy, the autonomy statute of 1972, which is enshrined in the Italian constitution and based on an international treaty between Italy and Austria of 1946. For this purpose a participatory process, open to all South Tyrolean citizens, has been launched by the regional assembly. The book not only provides for a collection of proposals for amending several central issues of the autonomy, but offers also a unique analysis of the main shortcomings of this territorial autonomy which has been a compromise between the central state and the German speaking minority of South Tyrol.
La nostra autonomia oggi e domani. Proposte per il 3° statuto del Trentino-Alto Adige/Sudtirolo , 2017
South Tyrol, autonomous province of Italy, since 2016 embarked in a debate about the reform of th... more South Tyrol, autonomous province of Italy, since 2016 embarked in a debate about the reform of the legal basis of its territorial autonomy, the autonomy statute of 1972, which is enshrined in the Italian constitution and based on an international treaty between Italy and Austria of 1946. For this purpose a participatory process, open to all South Tyrolean citizens, has been launched by the regional assembly. The book not only provides for a collection of proposals for amending several central issues of the autonomy, but also an analysis of the main shortcomings of this territorial autonomy which has been a compromise between the central state and the German speaking minority of South Tyrol.
Participatory Budgeting - How to decide as common citizen on public expenditure, 2013
The public finances, taxes and public expenditures in Italy as in many other countries are not ac... more The public finances, taxes and public expenditures in Italy as in many other countries are not accessible for any form of popular referendum. But there are alternative ways of direct (deliberative) participation of citizens on the expenditures of their municipalitiy, as for instance the participatory budgeting (PB). PB is a process of democratic deliberation and decision-making, in which ordinary citizens decide how to allocate a part of a municipal or public budget. Today, the PB is successfully applied in more than 300 municipalities in Europe. Also in Italy and South Tyrol some municipalities have established this form of deliberative participation. The author explains concisely the goals, the forms, the procedure, the effects of PB and touches some examples in several European countries such as Spain, Italy and Germany.
Moderne Autonomiesysteme - Eine Einführung in die Territorialautonomien der Welt, 2012
Many countries are confronted with ethnic conflict and the need to protect their national minorit... more Many countries are confronted with ethnic conflict and the need to protect their national minorities. Regional autonomy is a device of territorial power sharing, which creates a legal-political framework for efficient minority protection and 'internal self-determination', without changing the concerned state’s boundaries. Applying this method, since 1921 sustainable solutions to serious and protracted state-minority conflicts have been developed in about 60 regions within at least 20 states. While aiming for the settlement of conflicts between central states and regional communities and allowing democratic self-government within the autonomous entity, territorial autonomy has received growing attention among national minorities, smaller and indigenous peoples, international organizations, and states willing to settle self-determination conflicts.
After explaining the theoretical concept of political autonomy in all its facets, the author guides the reader on an empirical travel through the multifarious world of the autonomy systems, today operating in all continents. This analysis probes the main issues of territorial autonomy and its practical applications: typical elements are worked out, factors behind autonomy's operations with varying degree of success in diverse locations are investigated and perspectives of further development highlighted.
Regional autonomy is a precious experience of how to settle self-determination conflicts through self-government, of how to arrange power sharing between the centre and a regional community for the protection of regional identities in a democratic framework. Given the importance of regional autonomy as a means of conflict resolution and minority protection, this timely work provides for a new and comprehensive approach to autonomy, not just for experts and decision-makers, but also for readers interested in the political structures that shape the world around them.
India's multilingual polity is a laboratory of language policies. Its political and cultural cont... more India's multilingual polity is a laboratory of language policies. Its political and cultural context, however, privileges some major languages, whereas minority language speakers and members of smaller communities often feel discriminated against by the current language policy of the Union and the States. Many such languages have definitively disappeared, and several more are on the brink of extinction. Is this the inevitable price to be paid for economic modernization, cultural homogenisation and the multilingual fabric of India's society at large? This book is an effort to map India's linguistic minorities and to assess the language policy of different government levels towards these communities. Starting from considering linguistic rights as a component of fundamental human rights, codified in a number of international covenants and in the Indian Constitution, this would require everyone’s right and opportunity to learn, to use and to develop his mother tongue. Taking into consideration the experiences of minority language protection in Europe, the publication is intended as an appraisal of the extent to which language rights respected in India' multilingual reality.
The concept of „positive money“ (in German "Vollgeld", in Italian "moneta positiva" or "moneta in... more The concept of „positive money“ (in German "Vollgeld", in Italian "moneta positiva" or "moneta intera"), aims to deprive private banks of their power to create money. This right in a system of positive money would be granted exclusively to the central Bank, including the creation of electronic (digital) money. Thus, the current situation with the bulk of circulating money created by private enterprises (banks) would shift to a system where money in all its forms (coins, notes, digital money) would be created and emitted by an independent public institution. Money, in fact, is a public good and the creation of money ought to e a public service in favour of the whole community. Also the profit ensured by the process of money creation (seigniorage) in the system of positive money would be fully earned by the State and be spent for public purposes. The system of positive money re-establishes the public character of the monetary system.
The World's Modern Autonomy Systems - Concepts and Experiences of Regional Territorial Autonomy, 2010
Many countries are confronted with ethnic conflict and the need to protect their national minorit... more Many countries are confronted with ethnic conflict and the need to protect their national minorities. Regional autonomy is a device of territorial power sharing, which creates a legal-political framework for efficient minority protection and 'internal self-determination', without changing the concerned state’s boundaries. Applying this method, since 1921 sustainable solutions to serious and protracted state-minority conflicts have been developed in about 60 regions within at least 20 states. While aiming for the settlement of conflicts between central states and regional communities and allowing democratic self-government within the autonomous entity, territorial autonomy has received growing attention among national minorities, smaller and indigenous peoples, international organizations, and states willing to settle self-determination conflicts.
After explaining the theoretical concept of political autonomy in all its facets, the author guides the reader on an empirical travel through the multifarious world of the autonomy systems, today operating in all continents. This analysis probes the main issues of territorial autonomy and its practical applications: typical elements are worked out, factors behind autonomy's operations with varying degree of success in diverse locations are investigated and perspectives of further development highlighted.
Regional autonomy is a precious experience of how to settle self-determination conflicts through self-government, of how to arrange power sharing between the centre and a regional community for the protection of regional identities in a democratic framework. Given the importance of regional autonomy as a means of conflict resolution and minority protection, this timely work provides for a new and comprehensive approach to autonomy, not just for experts and decision-makers, but also for readers interested in the political structures that shape the world around them.
Europe is an ethnic and cultural mosaic, not a melting pot. Some non-Europeans are wondering abou... more Europe is an ethnic and cultural mosaic, not a melting pot. Some non-Europeans are wondering about so many states on such a relatively small continent. But under the stratum of national diversity there are further layers: regional identities strongly rooted in history, religious pluralism and a large number of ethnic or national minorities in almost every country. Distinct from the dominating national cultures, they wish to preserve their identity, cherish their traditions, use their languages in all spheres of life. For this purpose not only recognition is required, but a complete set of minority rights has to be ensured. After bitter experiences in history, marked by discrimination, exclusion and violence of all kind all over the last century, since the 1990ies the development minority rights in Europe entered in a new era. While the nation states are definitely acknowledging the necessity of modern forms of minority protection, international legal instruments with “soft law”- character have been adopted to set basic principles and minimum standards. Slowly the European community of states is moving towards the creation of a common legal space for national minorities. This short guide offers an introduction in Europe’s world of ethnic minorities and some of its major issues of ethnic conflict and minority discrimination. Then a brief assessment is given on the minority situation in some of its single states and an overview on the international conventions for the protection of national minorities, allowing a final judgement whether Europe is on the right track to safeguard its “ethnic mosaic” or not.
This publication starts from the fact that the EU’s Lisbon Treaty is just a further step in the t... more This publication starts from the fact that the EU’s Lisbon Treaty is just a further step in the transition of its political system towards a real federal and parliamentary democracy. It presents the innovations of the Lisbon Treaty marking clearly also its limits. Then, the author explains the European Citizens’ Initiative and the required measures to ensure its citizen-friendly application to foster participation. The core of the book is to understand which referendum rights European citizens would need in order to count more as political subject. Besides the establishment of more direct democracy the EU has to tackle an institutional reform too, starting from the elaboration and approval of a European constitution. The book isn’t utopian at all, but elaborates a coherent proprosal of institutional reform of the EU including more citizens’ rights on direct political participation on European level.
Mensch und Wirtschaft, Gesellschaft und Gewerkschaft in Südtirol, 2001
The book illustrates a relevant and representative selection of economic and social issues of Sou... more The book illustrates a relevant and representative selection of economic and social issues of South Tyrol. It addresses basic topics of the economy, the labour market, the social affairs of this autonomous region in the heart of the Alps, relevant for the educational work with trade union cadres. Thus, one further chapter provides some key information about the trade unions in South Tyrol, its problems and main challenges. The can be useful as a didactical introduction to South Tyrol's society. It is available also in Italian version.
History has shown that democracy is more than just the right to vote one’s representatives, whene... more History has shown that democracy is more than just the right to vote one’s representatives, whenever democracy is supposed to be comprehensive and participatory. Direct democracy is not an alternative, but the completion of the principle of representation of a modern democratic system. Popular referendums are an appropriate and necessary tool to implement the citizens’ participation to politics and to prevent political deciusions contrary to the electorate’s will. In South Tyrol (Autonomous Province of Bozen, Italy) the establishment of a sound system of direct and deliberative democracy has been discussed for more than 25 years. Today, on provincial level there is a new regulation, but still not citizen-friendly enough. The book in a compact manner explains rights and procedures of direct democracy generally, effects and actors, discusses objections and provides some insight in an optimum regulation drawing from the Swiss experiences.
Ethnische Autonomie versus Territorialautonomie, 2020
The paper aims to clarify the difference between Indigenous reservations as existin gin the USA, ... more The paper aims to clarify the difference between Indigenous reservations as existin gin the USA, in Canada and other American states, and modern territorial autonomy. After summing up the history of colonization, expropriation and genocide of the First Nations, the paper explains the legal position and character of the reservations in the USA. Due to the different position of the members of the titular tribes of such entities and common citizens residing on such territories, leading to different degrees of political rights, the reservations are not to be considered territorial autonomy systems in the strict sense.
And it’s an urgent question, because recently there’s been an increase in the number of movements... more And it’s an urgent question, because recently there’s been an increase in the number of movements for national self-determination and secession. Worldwide, between 1994 and 2017, I found 55 referendums registered, from Catalonia to Scotland, New Zealand to the Falklands, from Quebec to Iraqi Kurdistan. Most involved not full independence but rather a change of a political status in a state, or a separation or an integration of territory within an existing state. Whether such votes make sure that every voice is heard and ease difficult changes, or whether the votes tip countries towards more conflict and even violence, depends a great deal on the process around separation, and how democratic it truly is. The paper is a presentation held on the Global Forum of Modern Direct Democracy in Rome, September 2018.
Südtirol: 48 Jahre autonome Wirtschaftspolitik, 2017
South Tyrol's second autonomy statute entered in force in January 1972. Ever since the Autonomous... more South Tyrol's second autonomy statute entered in force in January 1972. Ever since the Autonomous Province of Bozen had a quite large toolbox to manage the economic and social development of the Province, backed by a stable and robust amount of public finance in the provincial annual budget. Some more socio-geographic, political and cultural factors were helpful to boost South Tyrol's economy which in 2017 granted its population the highest GDP per capita in Italy. The paper provide an analytical overview on this development, held at the annual conference of the "Society for Political Science of South Tyrol" in March 2017.
In 2021, the first territorial autonomy, the Finnish Åland Islands, celebrates its 100th annivers... more In 2021, the first territorial autonomy, the Finnish Åland Islands, celebrates its 100th anniversary. For 100 years, autonomy has been applied to protect ethnic minorities and resolve domestic conflicts. Yet this concept is still underestimated. A new book offers an unclouded look at territorial autonomy back and forward. Thomas Benedikter, author of the standard work "Modern Autonomy Systems", brings background and critical assessments on territorial autonomy worldwide complemented with interviews with 10 outstanding personalities from politics and science of autonomous regions.
Åland is a very special region: autonomous, demilitarised, neutral, Swedish-speaking and Swedish-... more Åland is a very special region: autonomous, demilitarised, neutral, Swedish-speaking and Swedish-cultured, yet part of Finland. Since 1921, Åland has been self-governing by virtue of international agreements and a Finnish state law, and can be considered the oldest 'modern territorial autonomy' in the world. This form of self-government for Ålanders, sealed by the League of Nations on 24 June 1921, began in practice with the first session of the Åland Parliament on 9 June 1922.
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Papers by Thomas Benedikter
The analysis starts from a clarification of the concept of territorial autonomy and based on four fundamental criteria distinguishes between “genuine autonomy” and “autonomy-like arrangement. Satring from an overlook about the results of autonomy as applied so far in at least 70 regions of the world, the author reflects on today’s challenges. Which current sub-state conflicts could be solved by means of territorial autonomy? The author quotes ten examples of such conflicts, caused by state-minority tensions, and draws promising conclusions for the further application of this device.
Purely monetary GDP has long been questioned as an indicator of prosperity. It is not suitable as a measure of quality of life and the common good. This is why the Economy for the Common Good (ECG) movement is endeavouring to develop alternative concepts: the common good product at state level and the common good index at regional and municipal level. This paper compares the existing ASTAT (Institute for Statistics of South Tyrol) and the proposals of the ECG.
Text ist in Zusammenwirken mit dem Heimatpflegeverband Südtirol entstanden.
The analysis starts from a clarification of the concept of territorial autonomy and based on four fundamental criteria distinguishes between “genuine autonomy” and “autonomy-like arrangement. Satring from an overlook about the results of autonomy as applied so far in at least 70 regions of the world, the author reflects on today’s challenges. Which current sub-state conflicts could be solved by means of territorial autonomy? The author quotes ten examples of such conflicts, caused by state-minority tensions, and draws promising conclusions for the further application of this device.
Purely monetary GDP has long been questioned as an indicator of prosperity. It is not suitable as a measure of quality of life and the common good. This is why the Economy for the Common Good (ECG) movement is endeavouring to develop alternative concepts: the common good product at state level and the common good index at regional and municipal level. This paper compares the existing ASTAT (Institute for Statistics of South Tyrol) and the proposals of the ECG.
Text ist in Zusammenwirken mit dem Heimatpflegeverband Südtirol entstanden.
How did it come to this? What are the Maoists striving for? Which were the roots of the conflict? Thomas Benedikter in 2002 visited various places of the insurgency and spent months researching in Kathmandu. He not only delves into the Maoist movement of Nepal and its insurgency, but also sheds light on the main social and political aspects of Nepal that form the background of this conflict. The richly illustrated work takes current events as its starting point, but is above all a political geography of contemporary Nepal
In Italy, and in the autonomous provinces of Trentino and South Tyrol in particular municipalities have the legal scope to establish and regulate all kind of participatory democracy in deliberative and direct form. This publication aims to highlight the most appropriate tools of citizens’ participation and is a concrete effort to encourage further development of citizen participation on municipal level.
In Italy, and in the autonomous provinces of Trentino and South Tyrol in particular municipalities have the legal scope to establish and regulate all kind of participatory democracy in deliberative and direct form. This publication aims to highlight the most appropriate tools of citizens’ participation and is a concrete effort to encourage further development of citizen participation on municipal level.
The book offers a broad perspective on the most important facets of direct democracy, starting from the basic intentions of referendum rights, their design, qualities, performance, players and effects on politics. In a straightforward approach the book explains why referendum and initiative based on citizen-friendly regulations should be an indispensable part of any democracy around the world in the 21st century.
After explaining the theoretical concept of political autonomy in all its facets, the author guides the reader on an empirical travel through the multifarious world of the autonomy systems, today operating in all continents. This analysis probes the main issues of territorial autonomy and its practical applications: typical elements are worked out, factors behind autonomy's operations with varying degree of success in diverse locations are investigated and perspectives of further development highlighted.
Regional autonomy is a precious experience of how to settle self-determination conflicts through self-government, of how to arrange power sharing between the centre and a regional community for the protection of regional identities in a democratic framework. Given the importance of regional autonomy as a means of conflict resolution and minority protection, this timely work provides for a new and comprehensive approach to autonomy, not just for experts and decision-makers, but also for readers interested in the political structures that shape the world around them.
This book is an effort to map India's linguistic minorities and to assess the language policy of different government levels towards these communities. Starting from considering linguistic rights as a component of fundamental human rights, codified in a number of international covenants and in the Indian Constitution, this would require everyone’s right and opportunity to learn, to use and to develop his mother tongue. Taking into consideration the experiences of minority language protection in Europe, the publication is intended as an appraisal of the extent to which language rights respected in India' multilingual reality.
After explaining the theoretical concept of political autonomy in all its facets, the author guides the reader on an empirical travel through the multifarious world of the autonomy systems, today operating in all continents. This analysis probes the main issues of territorial autonomy and its practical applications: typical elements are worked out, factors behind autonomy's operations with varying degree of success in diverse locations are investigated and perspectives of further development highlighted.
Regional autonomy is a precious experience of how to settle self-determination conflicts through self-government, of how to arrange power sharing between the centre and a regional community for the protection of regional identities in a democratic framework. Given the importance of regional autonomy as a means of conflict resolution and minority protection, this timely work provides for a new and comprehensive approach to autonomy, not just for experts and decision-makers, but also for readers interested in the political structures that shape the world around them.
For this purpose not only recognition is required, but a complete set of minority rights has to be ensured. After bitter experiences in history, marked by discrimination, exclusion and violence of all kind all over the last century, since the 1990ies the development minority rights in Europe entered in a new era. While the nation states are definitely acknowledging the necessity of modern forms of minority protection, international legal instruments with “soft law”- character have been adopted to set basic principles and minimum standards. Slowly the European community of states is moving towards the creation of a common legal space for national minorities.
This short guide offers an introduction in Europe’s world of ethnic minorities and some of its major issues of ethnic conflict and minority discrimination. Then a brief assessment is given on the minority situation in some of its single states and an overview on the international conventions for the protection of national minorities, allowing a final judgement whether Europe is on the right track to safeguard its “ethnic mosaic” or not.
The core of the book is to understand which referendum rights European citizens would need in order to count more as political subject. Besides the establishment of more direct democracy the EU has to tackle an institutional reform too, starting from the elaboration and approval of a European constitution. The book isn’t utopian at all, but elaborates a coherent proprosal of institutional reform of the EU including more citizens’ rights on direct political participation on European level.
In South Tyrol (Autonomous Province of Bozen, Italy) the establishment of a sound system of direct and deliberative democracy has been discussed for more than 25 years. Today, on provincial level there is a new regulation, but still not citizen-friendly enough. The book in a compact manner explains rights and procedures of direct democracy generally, effects and actors, discusses objections and provides some insight in an optimum regulation drawing from the Swiss experiences.
The paper is a presentation held on the Global Forum of Modern Direct Democracy in Rome, September 2018.