Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations

Federalism During the Obama Administration

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The federal government during the Obama Administration has assertively sought to influence state policies, perhaps more so than any time since the 1960s. This effort to impose central control is nothing new, but the range of methods and intensity of efforts used by the Obama Administration is striking, Institute Acting Director Thomas Gais told attendees at the 27th Annual Conference of the National Federation of Municipal Analysts. In this presentation, Gais also offers some ideas about what is needed to advance national purposes among state and local governments while minimizing unwanted side effects.
Thomas Gais, May 7, 2010

The Weakening of the States

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The role of the states in American government is weakening, according to this report released at the Institute's first national conference on states' long-term budget gaps. There are three main causes: The Great Recession has strained states' finances, while increasing the need for services. Medicaid continues to put pressure on states' finances. And the information revolution has de-emphasized states by creating the false impression that more domestic government can be micromanaged from Washington.
Richard P. Nathan, November 30, 2009

The Transformation That Fell Short: Bush, Federalism, and Emergency Management

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Wrapping up a study of the effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on America’s governments, this report finds that “traditional federalism” won out over the George W. Bush administration’s attempt to centralize and nationalize emergency management. States and localities continued to be relied on for disaster response, with federal fiscal aid arriving mostly after the fact.
Martha Derthick, August 2009

 

About This Program Area

Book List 2009: The New Deal

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The current version of this compilation of books, recommended by the Institute's co-director, focuses on the New Deal, whose lessons may be critical in this time of deep economic recession. Richard P. Nathan writes that this survey of books shows the New Deal was "often brilliantly creative institutionally" — something the current administration could learn from.
Richard P. Nathan, 2009

Updating Theories of American Federalism

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States have played a strong and leading role in responding to domestic needs; they still do; and their role has been crucial for the development of national domestic policies and programs.
Richard P. Nathan, a chapter from Intergovernmental Management for the 21st Century, the Brookings Institution
© 2008.

Accountability in K-12 Education

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With the No Child Left Behind Act up for renewal, it’s time for big thinking on intergovernmental collaboration in the ways we measure and report results in our schools.
Allison Armour-Garb, June 2008

Rebuilding the Government Statistics Infrastructure

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After completing the first-ever external review of the work of the U.S. Census Bureau's Governments Division, the Committee on National Statistics of the National Academies called for a two-track strategic plan. This approach would prioritize the steps that Census Bureau management would take under either of two scenarios: if its resources continued to be constrained, or if it saw opportunities to develop its programs.
Yolanda K. Kodrzycki, Senior Economist and Policy Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and Member, National Academies Review Board on Government Statistics, March 2008.

Federalism Archive