Frank Thompson Executive Federalism Summary
Article Review
In an article written by Frank J. Thompson, titled “The Rise of Executive Federalism: Implications for the Picket Fence and IGM” he writes that federalism is a key part of the American political structure. Thompson further explains that federalism has carved the characteristics of public administration. That there are challenges with federalism and for those that have to administer government programs. Are the programs efficient and effective are they responsive and accountable? Thompson writes that with the increase of federal grants, scholarly interest gained speed in trying to define intergovernmental dynamics of administration. Grants to states and local municipalities came into power in the 1930’s and picked up speed …show more content…
The federal government was not working together with the state governments. The challenges of administering grant programs increased the idea of intergovernmental management (IGM). IGM took a look at the interchange between federal and state in carrying out these grant programs. As interest grew in defining IGM, “picket-fence federalism” picked up as a definition to describe how the federal government and state governments work together.
Thompson goes on to illuminate a new perspective called “executive federalism” how the federal – state relationships in major grant programs. Supporters of “executive federalism” claim …show more content…
Or do we change the name to suit the scholars? Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and various regional governments (states). As defined by the United States Constitution, federalism is a fundamental aspect of American government, whereby the states are not merely regional representatives of the federal government, but are granted independent powers and responsibilities. With their own legislative branch, executive branch, and judicial branch, states are empowered to pass, enforce, and interpret laws, provided they do not violate the Constitution. This arrangement not only allows state governments to respond directly to the interests of their local populations, but also serves to check the power of the federal government. Whereas the federal government determines foreign policy, with exclusive power to make treaties, declare war, and control imports and exports, the states have exclusive power to ratify the Constitution. Most governmental responsibilities, however, are shared by state and federal governments: both levels are involved in such public policy issues as taxation, business regulation, environmental protection, and civil rights.
In an article written by Frank J. Thompson, titled “The Rise of Executive Federalism: Implications for the Picket Fence and IGM” he writes that federalism is a key part of the American political structure. Thompson further explains that federalism has carved the characteristics of public administration. That there are challenges with federalism and for those that have to administer government programs. Are the programs efficient and effective are they responsive and accountable? Thompson writes that with the increase of federal grants, scholarly interest gained speed in trying to define intergovernmental dynamics of administration. Grants to states and local municipalities came into power in the 1930’s and picked up speed …show more content…
The federal government was not working together with the state governments. The challenges of administering grant programs increased the idea of intergovernmental management (IGM). IGM took a look at the interchange between federal and state in carrying out these grant programs. As interest grew in defining IGM, “picket-fence federalism” picked up as a definition to describe how the federal government and state governments work together.
Thompson goes on to illuminate a new perspective called “executive federalism” how the federal – state relationships in major grant programs. Supporters of “executive federalism” claim …show more content…
Or do we change the name to suit the scholars? Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and various regional governments (states). As defined by the United States Constitution, federalism is a fundamental aspect of American government, whereby the states are not merely regional representatives of the federal government, but are granted independent powers and responsibilities. With their own legislative branch, executive branch, and judicial branch, states are empowered to pass, enforce, and interpret laws, provided they do not violate the Constitution. This arrangement not only allows state governments to respond directly to the interests of their local populations, but also serves to check the power of the federal government. Whereas the federal government determines foreign policy, with exclusive power to make treaties, declare war, and control imports and exports, the states have exclusive power to ratify the Constitution. Most governmental responsibilities, however, are shared by state and federal governments: both levels are involved in such public policy issues as taxation, business regulation, environmental protection, and civil rights.