The book explores federalism as a means to manage ethnic diversity within a state, contrasting consociational and centripetal approaches. It examines conflicts in Punjab and Nagaland in India, as well as Biafra and Ogoniland in Nigeria, assessing the implementation and interaction of these federal mechanisms. The analysis highlights that the absence of shared-rule mechanisms significantly contributes to ongoing violence in these regions and undermines the effectiveness of federal institutions in resolving conflicts.
