> I actually learned this when visiting Parliament House last year (though it was part of an off-the-tour side discussion). Having lived in both countries I think the independence of the US states is radically and fundamentally stronger than that of the Australian states, especially since (and because) income tax was federalised 75 years ago.
It's a mixture of factors, but vertical fiscal imbalance enabled by the First Uniform Tax Case is certainly part of it. As I'm sure you're aware Australians generally have fewer objections to centralised government.
Culturally Australia has historically been significantly more homogeneous across the different states than the US, even our accents are more similar between different states.
> The only place I know that even comes close to the US independence of the states is Germany.
It's a mixture of factors, but vertical fiscal imbalance enabled by the First Uniform Tax Case is certainly part of it. As I'm sure you're aware Australians generally have fewer objections to centralised government.
Culturally Australia has historically been significantly more homogeneous across the different states than the US, even our accents are more similar between different states.
> The only place I know that even comes close to the US independence of the states is Germany.
Switzerland?