What are the pros and cons of changing government structure in order to address identity issues?

In the article "Decentralization: Fueling the Fire or Dampening the

Flames of Ethnic Conflict and Secessionism?" Dawn Brancati analyzes the relationship between political decentralization and ethnic conflict. Brancati tests the common belief that political decentralization is a useful measure in reducing ethnic conflict and secessionism in modern societies using statistical analysis ranging over 30 countries from 1985 to 2000. Her research tests the assumption that decentralization may bring the government closer to its constituents while also indirectly increases ethnic conflict and secessionism. Brancati offers a dissenting argument to this assumption explaining that decentralized government "are less likely to experience intercommunal conflict and antiregime rebellion than centralized systems of government" (681). This finding is contingent upon the regulation of regional parties.

Throughout this article, it is evident that a decentralized government must navigate the power dynamics of various parties and institutions. Brancati ends her article with a cautious warning that "policymakers must be cautious, therefore, in designing their political systems to take into account both the direct and indirect consequences of these alternative institutions and the unexpected costs involved in them" (682). Here, she stresses the complexity of decentralizing a government without offering up clear guidance or restrictions on how governments should go about this process. It is clear that the framework of decentralization would vary significantly across political systems. 

Switzerland is one country with a remarkable successful decentralized government. The factors which lead to this success are strongly connected to the historic governmental system in Switzerland. The central government has remained small in this country, and most activity occurs at the local level. Switzerland also exhibits lower levels of economic or ethnic diversity compared to many other decentralized nations, so it is difficult to determine if their success is replicable in countries with other factors in play. 

A major complaint about decentralized systems relates to their efficiency. When individuals must trace their rights through both the local and federal structures, issues related to effective governance may occur. Additionally, while Switzerland is culturally most homogeneous compared with other nations, the breakdown of regional governments along ethnic lines may cause the fractionalization of society rather than inspiring cohesion. 

There is a continually changing set of pros and cons related to changing government structures in general. This is especially apparent when we ask the pros and cons of changing government structure to address identity issues? In order to answer these questions and trace a government structure's effectiveness, the unique cases of the society of interest must be analyzed in depth. The success of a government in one country cannot simply be anticipated in another. For this reason, I believe there is no concrete answer to the question- What are the pros and cons of changing government structure to address identity issues? A narrow focus on a specific country must be drawn in order to ask this question.

Brancati, Dawn. 2006. "Decentralization: Fueling the Fire or Dampening the

Flames of Ethnic Conflict and Secessionism?" International Organization 60(3): 651-685.