American Federalism: A Concise Introduction
Author | : Larry N. Gerston |
Publisher | : Routledge |
Total Pages | : 208 |
Release | : 2015-03-26 |
ISBN-10 | : 9781317477266 |
ISBN-13 | : 131747726X |
Rating | : 4/5 (66 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: Understanding 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.