It would seem that these decisions are made without reference to a standard model of federal structure, which presumably wouldn't display anomalies of that form.

Does anyone know of a good study of principles of federalism -- something with a good dose of prescriptive advice?

I'd also like to learn more about plausible but untested proposals, such as (in some domains of law) allowing a subsidiary legislature to reverse laws passed by a level above it, but only by a vote of equal majority. (That is, if an upper level passed a law by, e.g., 57%, a lower level could reject the law only through a vote of 57% or greater.)

Words and ideas I offer here may be used freely and without attribution.