ENGLISH

American Federalism: A Concise Introduction

By Larry N. Gerston

Book information

Publisher
M.E. Sharpe
Year
2007
ISBN
9780765616715, 0765616718
Open Library ID
OL8055106M
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
5 MB (5269834 bytes)
Pages
209\209
Topic
History
Library
avaxhome.ws
Time added
2010-05-31 15:29:46

Description

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.

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