American Intergovernmental Relations A Fragmented Federal Polity

by Stephens, G. Ross; Wikstrom, Nelson

• ISBN13: 9780195172027
• ISBN10: 0195172027
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-02
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

The one constant in the American federal system is change--change that is not always beneficial. American Intergovernmental Relations: A Fragmented Federal Polity examines how the dynamic social, economic, and political forces that impinge on American government at all levels shape the waythat our federal system functions. Stephens and Wikstrom--both senior scholars specializing in federalism, intergovernmental relations, and fiscal policy--offer concise, comprehensive, and easy-to-understand coverage of these materials. Beginning with the key elements of federalism, the authors trace these principles as they haveevolved since the founding of the republic and through the various phases and types of federal arrangements as they exist today. They examine and analyze the extreme complexity of the system and the cooperative and conflicting components of vertical and horizontal intergovernmental relations.Stephens and Wikstrom also discuss the impact of public policy and intergovernmental relations on American society in light of rising globalism, rapidly changing technology, and new security concerns. Featuring relevant case studies from the headlines, American Intergovernmental Relations is anideal text for undergraduate and graduate courses in federalism and intergovernmental relations. It is also an excellent text for a different approach to a course in American government.

Author Biography

G.Ross Stephens is Professor of Political Science and Public Administration (Emeritus) at the University of Missouri, Kansas City.
Nelson Wikstrom is Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Table of Contents

Preface	viii
Acknowledgments	x
1 THE UNITED STATES AS A FEDERAL SYSTEM: THEORETICAL INSIGHTS AND EXPERIENCE	1	(22)
2 FEDERALISM AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS: CONCEPTS, MODELS, AND THE AMERICAN SYSTEM	23	(22)
3 CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN FEDERALISM AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS: COOPERATION AND CONFLICT	45	(31)
CASE STUDY 1 Homeland Security: Intergovernmental Response	53	(23)
4 FISCAL FEDERALISM	76	(32)
5 FEDERALISM AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS: THE NATIONAL POLICY PROCESS AND PUBLIC POLICY	108	(33)
CASE STUDY 2 No Child Left Behind: Implications for Intergovernmental Relations	114	(27)
6 REGULATION IN THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM	141	(18)
7 THE RESURGENT STATES IN THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM: COOPERATION AND CONFLICT	159	(29)
CASE STUDY 3 Welfare to Work	161	(27)
8 STATE-LOCAL RELATIONS	188	(29)
9 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE AMERICAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM	217	(29)
CASE STUDY 4 Semi-Independent State and Local Agencies: Special Districts, Authorities, and Government Corporations	218	(28)
10 INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS: PRESENT AND FUTURE	246	(32)
CASE STUDY 5 System Failure: The Response to Hurricane Katrina	248	(30)
Notes	278	(6)
Selected Bibliography	284	(9)
Author Index	293	(4)
Subject Index	297