American Federalism A Concise Introduction [Paperback]

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.Part I. Creating a New Nation; 1. The Great Political Experiment; Defining Federalism and Organized Power in the First New Nation ; * Endless Nuances; * The Four Characteristics of Federalism; * Fluidity and Continuity; * Follow the Bouncing Ball - The Uncertainties of Federalism; * Outcomes of Federalism; * Looking Ahead; 2. Reordering the Rules on Power and Governance; Questioning the Traditional Rules on Power and Governance; * New Theories and the Old Regime: Sowing the Seeds of Change; * The Articles of Confederation - First Effort at Self-Governance; * The Constitutional Convention - Second Effort at Self-Governance; * From the Past to the Present; Part II. Organizing a Federal System of Government; 3. The Appeal of Tradition; Tradition: The Conservative Ethic in America; * To Trust or Not to Trust the People - Conflicting Themes; * The Constitution: Assigned Powers and Early Interpretations; * Pitting Liberty Against Equality?; * Traditilc{