American Federalism: A Concise IntroductionUnderstanding federalism - the form of political organization that unites separate polities within an overarching political system so that all maintain their political integrity - is central to the study of democratic government in the United States. Yet, many political scientists treat federalism as a set of abstract principles or a maze of budgetary transfers with little connection to real political life. This concise and engaging book boils the discussion down to its essence: federalism is about power, specifically the tug for power among and within the various levels of government. Author Larry N. Gerston examines the historical and philosophical underpinnings of federalism; the various "change events" that have been involved in defining America's unique set of federal principles over time; and the vertical, horizontal, and international dimensions of federalism in the United States today. The result is a book examining the ways in which institutional political power is both diffused and concentrated in the United States. |
Contents
The Great Political Experiment 55 | 5 |
Reordering the Rules on Power and Governance | 19 |
The Appeal of Tradition | 35 |
Political Wellsprings | 51 |
Informal Pressures on the Power Flow | 73 |
Vertical Federalism | 93 |
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American Federalism: A Concise Introduction: A Concise Introduction Larry N. Gerston Limited preview - 2015 |
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abortion Agency Amendment American federalism American political Angeles Anti-Federalists Article Articles of Confederation authority billion branch bureaucracies California capital punishment companies Congress congressional Constitution CQ Press debate decisions defining discussion economic efforts election emerged enacted environment executive orders extent federal courts federal government Federalist focused Framers funds George W global governors grants-in-aid guarantees Homeland Security Hurricane Katrina illegal immigrants impact individual industry institutions interest groups issues judiciary laws leaders legislation legislatures levels of government liberty Madison major manage ment Michael Reagan national government national level operate organizations outcome particularly percent policy areas policymaking political culture political parties President programs public education public policy question Rakove Reagan regulations relationships Republicans requirements responsibilities revenues role rules San Francisco Chronicle social stem cell research struggle tion U.S. Constitution U.S. Supreme Court United University Press values various vote Wall Street Journal Washington York