This article analyzes the formation of the concept of Federalism in 19th century Brazilian political debate. We seek to understand the transition from the concept of Confederation to that of Federalism and the political values that came to be associated with the latter. Based on the methodology of Conceptual History formulated by Reinhart Koselleck, we focus on the continuities and breaks in the issue of decentralization. Analyzing 19th century newspapers and Parliamentary debates, we contend that the notion of Provincial interest is a key aspect for understanding the Federalist thinking formulated in the first half of the 19th century.
federalism; confederation; Brazilian political thinking; nation-building; Judiciary