Volume I Volume II Volume III Volume V Volume VI Volume VII Volume VIII Volume XI THE FEDERAL ROLE IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM: A Crisis of Confidence and Competence 1. The Question of Federalism: Key Problems 2. Indicators of Federal Growth 3. The Scope of the Federal Role Report The Condition of Contemporary Federalism: Conflicting Theories and 1. Alternative Perspectives on Federalism 2. Breakdown of Constitutional Constraints; Interpretive Variations from the First Constitutional Revolution to the "Fourth" 3. Government UnLocked: Political Constraints on Federal Growth Since the 1930s 4. Financing Federal Growth: Changing Aspects of Fiscal Constraints 5. Governmental Growth: Conflicting Interpretations in the Social Sciences Reducing Unemployment: Intergovernmental Dimensions of a National Intergovernmentalizing the Classroom: Federal Involvement in Elemen- The Evolution of a Problematic Partnership: The Feds and Higher Ed The Federal Role in Local Fire Protection An Agenda for American Federalism: Restoring Confidence and Competence 1. American Federalism 1960-1980: Contrasts and Continuities 2. The Dynamics of Growth in Federal Functions: An Analysis of Case Study Findings 3. The Federal Role: Criteria, Assessment, and Analysis 4. Issues and Recommendations Hearings on the Federal Role THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LIBRARIES The Condition of Contemporary Federalism: acin U.S. ADVISORY COMMISSION ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS Washington, D.C. 20575 August 1981 Social work JK 325 A33 1961 Foreword The Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Re lations was established by Public Law 380, which was passed by the first session of the 86th Congress and approved by the President September 24, 1959. Section 2 of the act sets forth the following declaration of purpose and specific responsibilities for the Commission: Sec. 2. Because the complexity of modern life intensifies the need in a federal form of government for the fullest cooperation and coordination of activities between the levels of government, and because population growth and scientific developments portend an increasingly complex society in future years, it is essential that an appropriate agency be established to give continuing attention to intergovernmental problems. It is intended that the Commission, in the performance of its duties, will: 1) bring together representatives of the federal, state, and local governments for the consideration of common problems . . . ; 5) encourage discussion and study at an early stage of emerging public problems that are likely to require intergovernmental cooperation; 6) recommend, within the framework of the Constitution, the most desirable allocation of governmental functions, responsibilities, and revenues among the several levels of govern ment. . . . Pursuant to its statutory responsibilities, the Commission has from time to time been requested by the Congress or the President to examine particular problems impeding the effectiveness of the federal system. The 1976 renewal legislation for General Revenue Sharing, Public Law 94 488, mandated in Section 145 that the Commission: study and evaluate the American federal fiscal system in terms of the allocation and coordination of public resources among federal, state, and local governments including, but not limited to, a study and evaluation of: (1) the allocation and coordination of taxing and spending authorities between levels of government, including a comparison of other federal government systems. . . . (5) forces likely to affect the nature of the American federal system in the short-term and long-term future and possible adjustments to such system, if any, which, may be desirable, in light of future develop ments. The study, "The Federal Role in the Federal System: The Dynamics of Growth," of which the present volume is one component, is part of the Commission's response to this mandate. Staff were directed to: (a) examine the present role of the federal government in the American federal system; (b) review theoretical perspectives on American federalism, the assignment of functions, and governmental growth; and (c) identify historical and political patterns in the development and expansion of national governmental domestic activities. This volume on the condition of contemporary federalism is one of 11 prepared by Commission staff pursuant to this assignment. Abraham D. Beame Chairman |