Continuity and Change: A Ranking of Key Issues Affecting U.S. Intergovernmental Relations (1995--2005)

Few would dispute that federalism and intergovernmental relations in the United States are dynamic and ever-changing. The actions of the U.S. Congress and executive branch, U.S. Supreme Court cases, state innovations, and political, economic, and international events have direct effects on the relationships between and among governments--often advantaging one governmental level with more power, more discretion, or more responsibilities. It is important for scholars to recognize these actions and trends as they develop and test federalism and intergovernmental relations theories in the United States and as they compare these with federalism events and trends in other federal countries. Copyright 2009, Oxford University Press.