Course Objectives
	Teaching Format
	Learning Approach

Leadership for a Democratic Society
Policy in a Constitutional System

The Evolution of Devolution: Theoretical, Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Federalism

Overview: In the early 1970s, Richard Nixon championed a return of power and authority to the states, which he dubbed the "New Federalism." In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan endorsed a similar idea, which he also called the "New Federalism," though under his version, states received substantially less financial assistance from the national government, while its control over policy remained largely unchanged. Enter Bill Clinton and the new era of "devolution," in which national government is purportedly stepping back and states are purportedly reasserting themselves policywise. This devolution is reflected in Supreme Court rulings on the legitimate scope of national authority, Congressional lawmaking, and executive administration. In the words of Alan Rosenthal, a noted scholar of state politics, states are increasingly "where it's at." This course examines the current state of American federalism from four perspectives: theoretical, historical, contemporary, and applied. We will first consider what problems in democratic theory and practice federalism is designed to address. We will see that while there are distinct advantages to a federal approach, federalism introduces problems of its own for democratic governance. We will then briefly consider the historical evolution of federalism in the United States, beginning with the argument in favor of a federal system offered by the authors of the Federalist Papers, followed by the movement toward more national authority, as first set forward in the famous Supreme Court case, McCulloch v. Maryland, and concluding with the present situation of devolution. We will then consider a case study of the contemporary issues in federalism and health care policy. Again, we will see that federalism solves some problems and introduces others. Finally, we take an applied approach, in which we will visit with some state and local political decision-makers, and have the opportunity to discuss with them the particular challenges they have faced dealing with the Federal executive, and to ask them for their advice to Federal executives in responding to this newest regime of Federal relations.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the theoretical and historical context of the national/state/local political environment in which Federal executives must operate
• Have a grasp of the arguments concerning the legitimate power and authority of national government versus state power and authority
• Understand how the issues of federalism play out in a particular policy area, health care
• Gain more insight into how Federal executives can better interact with the relevant state and local political actors

Teaching Format : This course draws on lectures, extensive class discussions, group exercises, case studies, and guest speakers.

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